Today, I have been following the shooting from Brooklyn Center and the comments from Governor Walz. The shooting that occurred yesterday afternoon is a tragic event for all those involved and should not be exploited as a dividing moment in Minnesota.

As a retired Sheriff, I am supportive of a full investigation by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.  Through that investigation, the evidence and testimony will bring the facts to light, and a verdict will be rendered deciding if charges should be brought against the officer. In America, we are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

I was disappointed with Governor Walz’s statement from last night. In his Twitter post on Sunday, the Governor had already cast judgment on the officer and pointed to a racial motivation for the shooting without providing evidence.  As the top-ranked official in Minnesota, comments like these are dangerous and serve to incite further violence. We do not have the full facts on the incident yet, and we should expect that our Governor understands the weight his statement carries. At this moment, Governor Walz should be using his power to unify the people of Minnesota, quash any potential unrest, and ensure that the proper investigation occurs.

My prayers go out to the family and friends of the young man who lost his life yesterday. At this time, we must allow for a full investigation to complete before making accusations that will only further divide that community and Minnesota as a whole.