Cop blames muscle memory for shooting unarmed biker
- 8 years ago
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA — A Minnesota cop says he shot an unarmed motorcyclist because of "high stress" and "muscle memory" following a high-speed chase last June.
Dashcam footage of the incident has emerged online. It shows Sergeant Lonnie Soppeland of the Eden Prairie Police Department shooting rider Matthew Hovland-Knase in the left arm after pulling him over on June 20, 2015, KMSP-TV reported.
"Oh, you actually shot me, didn't ya? Hovland-Knase asks the officer. "I'm not going to say anything right now, but it was not intentional. I can tell you that," Soppeland replies.
"I know it wasn't," says Hovland-Knase.
Speeds of up to 110 mph were reached during the chase, according to KMSP.
Soppeland told investigators three days after the incident that "muscle memory" from firearms training 20 days previously was to blame for his "unintentional discharge", KMSP reported.
Eden Prairie Police Department said in a statement that Soppeland had returned to work following an investigation and faced no disciplinary action.
Hovland-Knase was later convicted of fleeing a police officer, according to court records, KMSP reported.
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Dashcam footage of the incident has emerged online. It shows Sergeant Lonnie Soppeland of the Eden Prairie Police Department shooting rider Matthew Hovland-Knase in the left arm after pulling him over on June 20, 2015, KMSP-TV reported.
"Oh, you actually shot me, didn't ya? Hovland-Knase asks the officer. "I'm not going to say anything right now, but it was not intentional. I can tell you that," Soppeland replies.
"I know it wasn't," says Hovland-Knase.
Speeds of up to 110 mph were reached during the chase, according to KMSP.
Soppeland told investigators three days after the incident that "muscle memory" from firearms training 20 days previously was to blame for his "unintentional discharge", KMSP reported.
Eden Prairie Police Department said in a statement that Soppeland had returned to work following an investigation and faced no disciplinary action.
Hovland-Knase was later convicted of fleeing a police officer, according to court records, KMSP reported.
-------------------------------------------------------------
Welcome to TomoNews, where we animate the most entertaining news on the internets. Come here for an animated look at viral headlines, US news, celebrity gossip, salacious scandals, dumb criminals and much more! Subscribe now for daily news animations that will knock your socks off.
Visit our official website for all the latest, uncensored videos: http://us.tomonews.net
Check out our Android app: http://bit.ly/1rddhCj
Check out our iOS app: http://bit.ly/1gO3z1f
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