ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA – Recently released squad car video from the St. Paul Police Department shows an intense exchange of gunfire between police officer Michael Tschida and 24-year-old Brandon Daleshaun Keys on December 7, 2023. The video captures the dramatic moments that led to Tschida being shot and wounded in the leg, and Keys being fatally shot in the head.

The footage, along with a 911 transcript, provided a vivid account of the events that unfolded on a busy street in the city’s Merriam Park neighborhood. The transcript revealed a woman’s desperate call for help as she reported being chased by the father of her child, who was armed and violating a protection order.

Tschida’s body-worn and squad dash cameras captured the intense moments as he confronted Keys and the woman, ultimately resulting in the exchange of gunfire. The video showed Tschida limping towards the injured Keys and safely removing a handgun from the scene.
Following the incident, St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter expressed the community’s complex emotions, acknowledging the non-life threatening injuries to Officer Tschida, while also recognizing the loss of a community member. Carter committed to releasing the body-camera footage for transparency purposes after the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension completed their investigation.

Police Federation President Mark Ross praised Tschida’s heroism in the face of danger, while the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association emphasized the split-second decisions law enforcement officers must make to preserve life in dangerous situations.

In the wake of the incident, it is clear that St. Paul has been confronted with challenges that highlight the dangers faced by both law enforcement and the community. The release of the video footage is hoped to provide clarity and understanding of the tense and tragic events that unfolded.