HomeMy WebLinkAbout2014 08-07 Police: Charges expected Friday in Cop's Death WCCO..................
Local *CBS
Police,: Charges Expected Friday In
Cop's Death AUG - 7 2014
July 31, 2014 214 PNI
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) – Police say they expect
criminal charges against the man suspected of killing a
Mendota Heights police officer as early as Friday, and
that as not seeking any other suspects in
connection with the shooting.
Court records show 39 -year-old Brien George Fitch Sr,
was wanted because he had left a drug treatment
program and faced up to 30 years in prison if convicted
on a pending drug charge.
Fitch was listed in serious condition as being shot
during a Wednesday 11- He was captured
after a manhunt .,,.b ,w.gith the fatal shooting of
police officer Scott Patrick, 47, during a traffic stop in
West St. Paul, Police said they still don't know what led
On Thursday afternoon, St, Paul Police Department
Sgt. Paul Paulos, said that immediately prior to his
arrest, Fitch fired at officers first. After that, police fired
back, striking Fitch a number of times.
The woman with Fitch was also struck She was
identified as 36 -year-old Kelly Lee Hardy, of
Maplewood,
Paulos said a handgun was recovered frorn Fitch's
vehicle,
Pollce said Fitch will face charges in tWO COUnties — in
Dakota County for the death of Patrick, and also in
Ramsey County for firing at officers,
Case records show Fitch was charged in Dakota
County last year with possessing 47.4 grams of
nnethamphetarain e Documents show prosecutors were
seeking 30 years in prison.
One condition of Fitch's release from jail was entering a
drug treatment pr gram, The warrant was issued June
6 after he left,
On Thursday morning hUndreds paid their aspects at
a candlelight vigil to honor Patrick. He was
characterized as a well-known family man, a father of
tNo and one of the departirnent's lon.gest-serving pclice
officers.
He was killed just after noon on Dodd Road near Smith
Avenue South in West St, Paul VVtnesses said
Patrick's service revolver was still in its holster.
After that,, it was a long eight hiours. The search for the
suspect took officers to several SUrrOUnding
communities, but police say tips from the public were
extremely helpful in catching Lip with Fitch. He was
arrested after a shoot-out with police near the State
Capitol in at. Paul
Fitch and his girlfriend were hit, but are expected to
survive Fitch, is still being treated at Regions Hospital.
It's not known how many times police shot him,
According to a tweet by St, Pau. Police, Fitch isirl
seri 0LIS condition and the woman is in fair,
Mendota Heights Pm llice Chief says the department, which has �ust 18 sworn officers, has never lost
an officer on duty
This Is the first mstance of a Mmnesota officer being killed in the line of duty since the 2012 death of
Officer Tom Decker in Cold Spring, %nn.
A memorial fund has been Set Up by the police departrnent Donataons call be rnade here*
Officer Scott Patrick Memorial Fund
0 -Cz r4 ; 4
P!L:S U�nior,
175 West Lafayette Frontage Rd.
St, Paul MN 55107
6 5 2 3) -70 0
(TM and (D Copyright 2014 CBS Radio lnc. and its relevant subsidiaries, CBS RADIO and EYE
Logo TM and Copyright 2014 CBS Broadcasting Inc Used Linder license All Rights Reserved,This
material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten,, or redistributed, The Associated Press
contributed to this report.)
Police described 39 -year-old Fitch as a career criminal who had a warrant Out for his arrest, His
record m'ncludes convictions or arrests for theft, terroristic threats, aSSaUlt, drug offenses, escaping
custody and fleeing pohice officers Records show he's also been to court several times for failing to
pay or provide child support to severai different women,