Chaska man sentenced to 60 months for 2020 officer-involved shooting in addition to 25 years of federal prison time for charges in Utah incident

James Howard Klein, 37, was sentenced to 60 months for a 2020 shooting in Brooklyn Park, running consecutively to a 25-year federal prison sentence for several offenses committed in an incident in Utah in 2021.

Mr. Klein pleaded guilty in Hennepin County District Court in October 2024 to one count of first-degree assault, use of deadly force, against a peace officer.

“Mr. Klein’s actions were extremely dangerous, and he is being held accountable,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “I’m grateful neither the responding officers nor other members of the public were physically injured by Mr. Klein. Our thoughts are with all victims of his actions as they continue to recover from a traumatic experience. The consecutive sentence imposed today protects our community for years to come.”

According to the complaint:

On March 16, 2020, Brooklyn Park Police were dispatched to a local store on a shoplifting call and were informed the suspect was purchasing a large amount of ammunition and was wearing a holster. Upon arrival, a Brooklyn Park Police Officer approached Mr. Klein in the parking lot and asked that he stop. Mr. Klein then ignored multiple commands to stop and withdraw his hand from his coat pocket.

The officer deployed his Taser. It had a minimal effect on the Mr. Klein, who fled between two vehicles parked in the lot. Mr. Klein then fired a gun at the officer, who was not struck. The officer returned fire.

Another arriving officer engaged Mr. Klein. As the second officer gave chase and returned fire, Mr. Klein turned toward him with the handgun still drawn. At that time, the officer was forced to fire again, hitting the defendant and knocking him to the ground.

The defendant was transported to the hospital to be treated for gunshot wounds to the leg and hand. No officer was struck by gunfire.

Mr. Klein has 386 days of credit for time served.

Case Number: 27-CR-20-7240

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