Man charged for shooting at police in Walmart parking lot

Update

Two new charges were filed against James Klein on May 4, 2020, from the same incident back in March. Klein was charged with second-degree assault and first-degree robbery for pointing his gun at a woman who was trying to leave the Walmart parking lot in what she described as an attempt to steal her car to get away from police who were converging on him. The criminal complaint can be found below.

Original press release

A Chaska man was charged with assaulting two Brooklyn Park Police officers in a shooting that took place in a Walmart parking lot, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Thursday.

James Klein, 32, was charged with two counts of first-degree assault and one count of felon in possession of ammunition and firearm. He was scheduled to make his first court appearance today but remained in the hospital.

According to the criminal complaint, on March 16, police responded to a shoplifting call at a Brooklyn Park Walmart. Officers were also informed that the shoplifter in question, Klein, was purchasing a large amount of ammunition and wearing a holster. When police arrived on scene, an officer approached Klein in the Walmart parking lot and asked him to stop.

Body worn camera shows his exchange between Klein and the police officer, and also captured Klein with a hand in his pocket. Klein ignored the officer’s command, took his hand out of his pocket, and walked away, the complaint states.

After multiple requests from the police officer to stop, Klein continued walking away. The officer then discharged his Taser on Klein, which had a minimal effect. Klein ran between two vehicles parked in the parking lot and proceeded to fire a gun at the officer, who in return, fired at Klein, the complaint continues.

Another officer arrived on scene and ran after Klein. When a car Klein was behind drove off, body worn camera shows that Klein still had his gun drawn. The officer, in response, fired at Klein, shooting him in the leg and hand. Klein then fell to the ground. Responding officers were not hit by any gunfire, the complaint states.

When officers searched Klein, they found numerous rounds of additional ammunition. Klein was taken to the hospital to be treated for gunshot wounds he sustained.

James Klein Criminal Complaint (PDF)

Klein robbery and assault Criminal Complaint (PDF)