Our Cases

Jamar Clark was shot in the head by Minneapolis Police Officer Dustin Schwarze and Mark Ringgenberg on November 15, 2015. He died the following day. Numerous eye-witnesses disputed the officers’ version of events, sparking protests, calls for reform, and a federal civil rights investigation. Ultimately, no state or federal criminal charges were brought. In 2019, the family reached a $200,000 settlement with the City of Minneapolis over his killing. For the 10-year anniversary, the Reinvestigation Workgroup has investigated his case and reviewed the official investigation. We have serious concerns over the conclusions drawn by state and federal prosecutors and the quality of the investigations by the BCA and FBI.

Cordale Handy was shot and killed by St. Paul Police Officers Nathaniel Younce and Mikko Norman on March 15, 2017. The Reinvestigation Workgroup found that the physical evidence of the case, and the testimony of a previously un-interviewed witness, directly contradicted the officers’ narrative of events. His family sued the officers and the police department, beginning an eight-year legal battle that included two civil jury trials, a finding of civil liability for Officer Younce, and a jury award totaling over $7M paid by the City of St. Paul.

Marcus Golden was shot and killed by St. Paul Police Officers Jeremy Doverspike and Dan Peck on January 14, 2015. After the Reinvestigation Workgroup found that Marcus was shot in the back of the head while he was driving away from officers from over 150 feet away, the family sued. The City of St. Paul agreed to a historic $1.3M settlement in January 2023.

Jaffort Smith was shot 19 times, including in the back, buttocks, and bottom of his feet, by multiple St. Paul Police officers on May 9, 2016. The Reinvestigation Workgroup found that Jaffort was schizophrenic and in the midst of a mental health crisis when he was shot. Though Jaffort had a gun, it was visibly inoperable to officers at the time officers called for a long gun and continued shooting him while he lay on his stomach, facing away from them. Jaffort’s family brought suit against the officers and department, but the case was unfortunately dismissed after U.S. District Court Judge Jerry Blackwell granted the officers qualified immunity.

Travis Jordan was killed by two rookie Minneapolis Police Officers on November 9, 2018. Travis was suicidal. His worried girlfriend called Minneapolis non-emergency line for help. Her call was rerouted to 911. When officers arrived, they escalated Travis, provoking him to come outside unnecessarily. Travis had a knife, which he never raised above his waist or used in a threatening manner. Officers shot him seven times, including three times after Travis had fallen to the ground and the knife was thrown out of his reach. After The Reinvestigation Workgroup completed its investigation, the family sued, securing a major victory when the District Court judge denied the officer qualified immunity for the three shots fired after the pause. Unfortunately, the City appealed and the decision was overturned by the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. Travis’ mother lobbied the Minnesota state legislature for change and passed Travis’ law, which requires 911 dispatchers to send mental health crisis teams to calls when appropriate.

Kobe Dimock-Heisler was a 21-year-old autistic man who was shot and killed by Brooklyn Center Police Officers, Cody Turner, Brandon Akers, Joseph Vu, and Stephen Holt, on August 31, 2019. Kobe’s grandparents, whom he lived with, had called 911 because they were worried about Kobe after they got into an argument and Kobe grabbed a knife and hammer. Kobe’s grandparents de-escalated him, and his grandfather called 911 to tell them not to come. They showed up anyways, and the two officers interviewed Kobe escalated him again. Kobe darted out of the room but was blocked by officers. Kobe did had a knife in his hand, but was running to leave the room. He had a history of running away and self-harming. After the Reinvestigation Workgroup completed its investigation, Kobe’s family sued. After an appeal, his case was unfortunately dismissed and the officers granted qualified immunity. Kobe’s legacy in Brooklyn Center lives on through new mental health crisis responders that reduce police-only responses to crisis calls.