No Charges for Deputies in Fatal Minnetonka Shooting
No charges will be filed against Hennepin County Sheriff’s deputies involved in the fatal shooting of 58-year-old Clint Hoyhtya in Minnetonka earlier this year.
After reviewing the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's investigation, prosecutors determined the deputies acted lawfully and within their duties during the incident, which took place April 10.
Authorities say deputies had responded to Hoyhtya’s home around 11:13 a.m. to serve an arrest warrant for another person when Hoyhtya opened fire on them without warning. The deputies quickly took cover, requested assistance and called for a negotiator in an attempt to resolve the situation.
According to the investigation, Hoyhtya continued to fire at deputies and their vehicles multiple times, pinning the officers down and striking one deputy in the hand. As the situation escalated, deputies returned fire. During an exchange at 11:28 a.m., three deputies fired their weapons, fatally wounding Hoyhtya.
The Hennepin County Attorney's Office concluded that the deputies acted appropriately and used deadly force only when necessary. The review noted that the deputies had made efforts to de-escalate the situation and only responded with gunfire after Hoyhtya presented a direct threat by shooting at them.
“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.”
One deputy suffered a gunshot wound to the hand and was hospitalized with a non-life-threatening injury during the incident.
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