Hennepin County Attorney announces decision in officer-involved shooting case

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty today announced that having reviewed the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) investigation, the office found no evidence of unlawful conduct by law enforcement and will not file charges related to the shooting death of Clint Hoyhtya on April 10 in Minnetonka.

The HCAO found the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office (HCSO) deputies acted lawfully, initially retreating to find cover, calling for a negotiator, and attempting to convince Mr. Hoyhtya to stop shooting. The investigation shows that the deputies used the restraint required of law enforcement officers in dangerous situations and did not use deadly force until it became necessary.

Deputies fired their weapons only after Mr. Hoyhtya fired directly at them, demonstrating an imminent threat of death or great bodily harm.

“In our review of the BCA’s investigation, we found no unlawful conduct by law enforcement,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “This was a terrifying incident that left an HCSO deputy hospitalized with a gunshot wound, endangered the lives of several other deputies and community members, and led to the death of Mr. Hoyhtya. Our thoughts are with everyone impacted by this tragedy, including the sheriff’s deputies, their families, impacted neighbors, and Mr. Hoyhtya’s family.”

According to the investigation:

At 11:13 a.m. on April 10, 2024, HCSO deputies arrived at Hoyhtya’s residence to serve an arrest warrant for an unrelated person when they were fired on by Hoyhtya. Deputies proceeded to retreat to cover, called for backup, armor, a helicopter, and a negotiator.

Hoyhtya fired upon deputies and at the vehicles they were taking cover behind numerous times, pinning them in. One deputy was shot in the hand.

Three deputies returned fire and, during a final barrage of gunfire at 11:28 a.m., struck and killed Hoyhtya.

#30#