Man sentenced to over 12 years for shooting undercover Minneapolis officer

By KSTP

Frederick Leon Davis Jr. (Hennepin County Jail)

On Thursday, a man who pleaded guilty to shooting at – and injuring – a Minneapolis police officer learned his punishment.

Frederick Leon Davis Jr., 19, was sentenced to more than 12 years (147 months) in prison for the shooting that hurt Minneapolis Police Officer Jacob Spies, who was undercover at the time. Davis pleaded guilty last month, and he received credit for 279 days already served.

Prosecutors say Davis fired at least 15 shots at Spies, and court documents say a bullet narrowly missed a main artery in Spies’ right arm.

While Spies was released from the hospital later that night, he has since received the first-ever Purple Heart from the city, as well as a medal of honor.

“I’m glad that it’s over. It’s been a long journey, a lot of work went into this case and I’m very appreciative to all the work that my partners, Minneapolis police, have put into this case,” Spies said after Davis was sentenced Thursday.

Spies also talked about the support his fellow officers and others have shown throughout the process.

“It means a lot to me,” he said. “A lot of times we’re faced with a lot of animosity and tragedy in our profession and to see the support that I have from Minneapolis police and the law enforcement community in whole, it’s amazing and it’s very uplifting and it’s done wonders for myself and my family getting through the situation.”

After the hearing, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara called Spies an example of the many officers who are in the profession “for all the right reasons” and added that he’s thankful Spies wasn’t hurt more seriously.

Court documents state Spies was following a vehicle that was reported to be involved in a spree of robberies and carjackings in Brooklyn Park. It goes on to say one of two recovered guns was converted into an automatic weapon, which was linked to five different shootings in the Twin Cities area.

A teenager also pleaded guilty to his role in the case back in December. A woman accused of aiding Davis later had her case dismissed due to lack of probable cause.