Crime & Safety
'Active Shooter' In Minneapolis Apartment Had AK-47: BCA
State investigators have identified the man shot by Minneapolis police during an "active shooter" incident early Friday morning.
ST. PAUL, MN —The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified the man shot by Minneapolis police during an "active shooter" incident on Saturday.
Nathan Mellstrom Matz, 40, of Minneapolis remains hospitalized in stable condition at HCMC, authorities said. He is expected to survive.
Matz was seen wielding at times a shotgun and an AK-47, and also had a 45-caliber handgun, police said.
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The officer who shot Matz was identified as Sergeant Ben Bauer. Bauer has been in law enforcement for 12 years and remains on standard critical incident leave.
Starting at approximately 10:50 p.m. Friday, multiple 911 callers reported a man walking around with a shotgun near the 4000 block of Minnehaha Avenue.
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Officers searched the area but did not find him.
On Saturday morning at about 4:30 a.m., 911 callers reported hearing multiple shots near the 4000 block of Minnehaha Avenue. The man — now identified as Matz — was firing shots inside the apartment building at 4052 Minnehaha Avenue, according to police.
Callers reported knocks on their doors and glass breaking. Responding officers found bullet holes in the front door to the apartment building and shell casings on the floor.
Police also found an open unit door with a shotgun on the floor of the apartment.
More shots were heard coming from the north end of the apartment building. Officers immediately began evacuating residents.
Police contained the shooter to a north stairwell while they evacuated the building. Coordinated SWAT and negotiation resources took place as the shooter periodically fired rounds from an AK-47, authorities said.
At about 5:30 a.m., an officer shot Matz. Police then entered the stairwell and disarmed him of an AK-47 and a .45-caliber handgun. He was taken into custody.
BCA agents identified gunshot damage in the apartment building and to homes and vehicles outside of the building. They believe it was from rounds fired by Matz.
After its investigation, the BCA will provide its findings to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for review.
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