Minnesota probe says man fatally shot by police had knife

ST. PAUL, Minn. – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says a man fatally shot by St. Paul police last weekend had confronted an officer with a knife before he was killed.

The BCA, which is investigating the shooting, says Officer Steve Mattson was on patrol in the Midway neighbourhood shortly before 6 p.m. Sunday when his squad car was rear-ended at an intersection by 31-year-old Ronald Davis. Authorities say Davis was holding a knife when he exited his vehicle and ignored Mattson’s commands to drop it. During the confrontation, Mattson shot Davis.

The BCA says a knife was recovered next to Davis’ body.

The officer’s body camera was activated during the shooting. St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has asked Police Chief Todd Axtell to release the footage “as soon as reasonably possible.”