The man killed by law enforcement at a Minnetonka home last week fired on the Hennepin County deputies with a high-powered rifle after they knocked on the door and identified themselves, state investigators said Tuesday.
Four deputies returned fire late in the morning of April 10 and killed 28-year-old Clint Hoyhtya, who was wearing a protective armor vest, read a synopsis released by the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).
Two of the four deputies who shot at Hoyhtya were wounded during the firefight, the BCA said. Christopher Heihn was hit multiple times, was taken to HCMC for treatment and has since been released. Keith McNamara was treated at the scene after being hit by shrapnel.
The BCA said investigators recovered an assault rifle and dozens of cartridge casings from the scene in the 13400 block of E. Crestwood Drive.
“When the deputies knocked on the front door and announced themselves,” the BCA statement read, “Hoyhyta started shooting at them with an assault-style rifle. The deputies returned fire and backed away to set up a perimeter.”
Heihn, McNamara and the other deputies who opened fire, Tyler Jacob and Steven Tomasko, are all on standard administrative leave as the investigation continues, the BCA said.
The agency said it is reviewing “all available video,” including from deputies’ body-worn cameras as part of its investigation.
Deputies were serving an arrest warrant when gunfire erupted. Hoyhtya died at the scene. The BCA on Tuesday confirmed what dispatch audio and a law enforcement source also confirmed what the Star Tribune reported last week: Hoyhtya was not the subject of Wednesday’s warrant.