Family Sues Minneapolis Over 2022 Police Shooting, Mental Health Claims

The family of Andrew "Tekle" Sundberg, a 20-year-old man fatally shot by Minneapolis police during a 2022 standoff, is suing the Minneapolis Police Department and involved officers for failing to deploy a mental health crisis team despite being informed of his extensive mental health history. The standoff began after Sundberg fired shots inside his apartment, leading to a six-hour police response and his death by sniper fire when officers believed he was armed, though video showed he was holding a cell phone. Sundberg's parents claim the police violated his civil rights and the Americans with Disabilities Act by ignoring requests for a Black negotiator and disregarding their warnings about his traumatic brain injury, PTSD, and other disabilities. The lawsuit seeks compensatory and punitive damages, as well as changes in police training and policies to better handle encounters involving individuals with mental health crises. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office declined to file charges against the officers, stating their use of deadly force was justified. The family continues to fight for justice, emphasizing the need for fair and compassionate responses to mental health emergencies by law enforcement.