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Mpls. Police: Officers Fatally Shoot Suspect In Stabbing Incident

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Minneapolis police officers fatally shot a suspect who they witnessed stabbing another man Monday, according to police.

On Monday at 5:13 a.m., officers responded to the 2100 block of Minnehaha Avenue on the report of a combative man armed with a weapon located inside the building.

Police say according to preliminary witness accounts, the officers encountered the suspect, who was armed with a knife. The suspect then ran into a nearby apartment.

The building's manager, Terry Haigler, says he witnessed much of what happened when he went to the apartment after hearing a lot of banging. A man visiting the apartment's elderly tenant -- known to Haigler as Raul -- answered the door.

"He told me there were people outside the building," Haigler said. "Two people in a van, and another man with a rifle. And when I looked out the door, there was nobody there."

Suspecting the man was under the influence of drugs, Haigler called 911. When help arrived, Haigler said the man tried to stab the responding officers, too.

"Raul opened the door and went at them with a very large hunting knife, and they closed the door and called for backup," Haigler said.

As officers waited for backup, Haigler says Raul headed towards his apartment.

"Raul was belly-crawling with the knife in his hands and coming towards my door," Haigler said.

Haigler says the suspect then went to another apartment where a 62-year-old man lived, and took him hostage. Officers attempted to speak with the suspect, but heard cries for help, so they forcefully entered the apartment unit and witnessed the suspect stabbing the hostage, according to police.

Officers then shot the suspect. He was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center where he later died.

The stabbing victim was taken to HCMC. Haigler says investigators told him the victim is expected to survive.

A Minneapolis police officer was also treated at the hospital for a broken bone.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating.

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