Brooklyn Center police officers shot and killed a man who is a suspect in a double homicide in Minneapolis.

Investigators believe the suspect exchanged gunfire with police officers in Brooklyn Center at about 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, after the suspect allegedly shot and killed two of his cousins earlier in the day, police said.

Two Shot in Minneapolis

During a press conference, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said investigators believe the suspect in a double homicide had recently been arrested for fleeing police and possession of a handgun modified with an auto sear, an illegal device that converts semi-automatic firearms to fully automatic.

Early Monday afternoon, the 24-year-old suspect was released from the Hennepin County Jail. O’Hara said he believed the man made bail.

According to police, the suspect then went to a family member’s north Minneapolis home, where he shot and killed his 23-year-old and 14-year-old male cousins.

“We’re hearing that it may have had something to do with him being arrested, but there’s no facts that we’re aware of that would suggest that,” O’Hara said of a possible motive.

His grandmother as well as several other children were in the home at the time of the shooting.

“This is an unimaginable loss for the family,” O’Hara said. “The family is very distraught.” 

Investigators: Gunfire Exchanged With Brooklyn Center Police

After the incident, investigators believe the suspect fled the scene of the Minneapolis killing and eventually ended up in Brooklyn Center.

Per a press release, Brooklyn Center police were dispatched at 3:55 p.m. to the 5500-5600 blocks of Brooklyn Boulevard on a report of a man waving a gun outside of several businesses.

“Brooklyn Center police officers arrived in the area and were confronted by the subject who was armed with a handgun,” a press release read. “Gunfire was exchanged between the subject and officers, and the subject was struck by gunfire.”

First responders transported him to a local hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

“Preliminary information indicates this incident is related to a double homicide in Minneapolis earlier that day,” the press release stated.

Meanwhile, the Brooklyn Center Police Department placed the officers involved on critical incident leave, which is standard operating procedure.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will conduct an independent investigation of the fatal shooting.

“As the investigation unfolds I ask for your patience,” wrote Brooklyn Center Mayor April Graves in a social media post. “It is important that the process be thorough, independent and guided by facts. As your mayor, I am committed to ensuring transparency and will share verified information as it becomes available to me.”

Brooklyn Center