BCA: No video of fatal shooting of suspect at Uptown parking ramp

Authorities said Wednesday that they’re not aware of any video of an incident last week when law enforcement officers shot and killed a man during an attempted arrest.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said it is asking for anyone who may have captured video of the incident to contact its department at 651-793-7000.

Additionally, the BCA said the Hennepin County deputy and Ramsey County deputy working on the task force who discharged their weapons were both working undercover at the time, meaning they can’t be identified publicly, according to Minn. Stat. 13.82, subd. 17 (a).

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office on Saturday identified the man who died as Winston Boogie Smith Jr. of St. Paul. The medical examiner said Mr. Smith died of multiple gunshot wounds.

The U.S. Marshals Service-led North Star Fugitive Task Force was attempting to arrest Smith, who had a warrant for a suspected gun violation, on June 3 at a parking ramp in the Uptown area. Investigators say Smith shot at law enforcement from inside his vehicle, and the deputies returned fire.

At the time, the U.S. Marshals Service did not allow any deputized officers working on the task force to wear body cameras. However, this week the federal agency said it was reversing course and would allow officers to wear body cameras.

That policy has yet to go into effect, much to the displeasure of Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, who said he would not allow his deputies to serve on the task force until body cameras are allowed.

The BCA’s investigation remains active.