Suspect, officers involved in Brooklyn Park Walmart shooting identified

The suspect and officers in an officer-involved shooting at a Walmart in Brooklyn Park Monday have been identified by authorities.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said Wednesday that James Howard Klein, 32, was the involved suspect while the officers were identified as Charles Cudd, a 14-year veteran of the Brooklyn Park Police Department, and Dane Lazenberry, a five-year law enforcement veteran who's in his first year with Brooklyn Park Police. Both officers are on standard administrative leave.

According to the criminal complaint, Brooklyn Park Police officers were dispatched to a Walmart in Brooklyn Park on a shoplifting call. Officers were informed that the suspect was purchasing ammunition and was wearing a holster.

When officers arrived at the scene they approached Klein, who had his hand in his coat pocket, according to the complaint. The suspect refused to remove his hand from his pocket and continued walking away from the officer and ignoring his orders, the BCA said.

In order to stop Klein, Cudd deployed his Taser, which had a minimal effect. Klein then ran between two cars and fired his gun at the officer, and Cudd then returned fire.

1 injured in officer-involved shooting at Brooklyn Park Walmart, 3 arrested

Lazenberry then arrived, chased after Klein and returned fire. Klein pointed his handgun at a white-colored vehicle in the lot that drove off and then turned to Lazenberry with his handgun drawn. Lazenberry returned fire once again, hitting Klein who was knocked down.

Klein was taken to the hospital where he is being treated for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds to his leg and hand. No officers were hit in the gunfire.

Klein was ineligible to possess a firearm due to multiple prior convictions, the BCA said. He's been charged with two counts of felony assault in connection to the incident.

The agency is investigating the shooting and reviewing footage captured by body cameras, squad cameras and store security cameras.

Klein's first court appearance is set for March 24.