ST. PAUL, Minn. (KFGO/WCCO) – The St. Paul Police Department has released video from two body-worn cameras that captured an officer-involved shooting in the city’s West Seventh Neighborhood last Saturday.
Police shot and killed 65-year old Yia Xiong after he was found brandishing a 16-inch knife in the hallway of the building.
The two body-worn camera videos being released are from Officers Noushue Cha and Abdirahman Dahir. The videos show them entering a building where residents directed the officers into the building and to where Xiong was located.
According to a news release issued by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, it was during this exchange when Mr. Xiong stepped into the hallway with a 16-inch knife in hand and both officers discharged their weapons.
The video ends after officers discharged their weapons. The officers did render aid and called for Saint Paul Fire medics, who responded and pronounced Mr. Xiong deceased on scene.
“Any loss of life is tragic, and we’re keeping the family and friends of Mr. Xiong in our thoughts as they grieve and look for answers,” St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry said. “We know there aren’t words to alleviate their pain, but we hope the release of these videos will help them begin to understand what happened.”