Kare11
Leneal Frazier’s family files federal lawsuit against Minneapolis
Frazier died after Minneapolis police officer crashed into his car while chasing another vehicle back in 2021.
MINNEAPOLIS — The family of Leneal Frazier, the man killed after a Minneapolis police officer crashed into his car while chasing another vehicle back in 2021, has filed a federal lawsuit against the city, claiming that its practices played a role in his death.
The family is seeking unspecified damages, claiming that the city’s “unlawful customs and practices” allowed police to engage — and continue — high-speed pursuits, similar to the chase that killed Frazier. According to court documents, MPD Officer Brian Cummings reached speeds close to 100 mph for nearly 20 blocks prior to the crash.
The chase wound through north Minneapolis, including residential neighborhoods. Eventually, prosecutors said Cummings ran a red light at Lyndale and 41st Avenues North and collided with a Jeep driven by Frazier, who died from the significant injuries he sustained in the crash. Last year, Cummings pleaded guilty to manslaughter and was sentenced to 270 days in prison.
In the federal lawsuit, the attorneys for Frazier’s family pulled data from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) that showed 24% of MPD’s pursuits since 2021 ended in crashes, the highest of any law enforcement agency in the state. The suit also claims that Cummings was involved in at least 12 instances of “dangerous, high-speed pursuits” in 2021, with only four resulting in an arrest of the suspect.
The lawsuit also claims the city’s practices disproportionately targeted Black drivers, adding that those high-speed pursuits were also more likely to occur in neighborhoods with high numbers of Black residents.
The City of Minneapolis updated its police pursuit policies in 2019, the same year Jose Madrid Salcido, a father of four, was killed by a man fleeing police at the intersection of Aldrich Avenue and 36th Avenue North. In that case, the chase began when the suspect suddenly drove off after being stopped by officers on suspicion of selling drugs.
Ultimately, it’s up to the officer to decide when to initiate a chase, and it’s up to the officer or supervisors to decide when to break away from it. Generally, the department requires officers to believe one of the following:
- The driver is linked to a violent felony or gross misdemeanor
- The driver is about to commit a violent crime
- The person is driving in such a flagrantly reckless way they’re putting bystanders and their own passengers in danger
The crimes listed in the policy include murder, sex crimes, robberies, arson, kidnapping, carjacking, 1st and 2nd-degree assault and terrorist acts.
Watch the latest local news from the Twin Cities and across Minnesota in our YouTube playlist:
Audience members can expect to see iconic holiday characters come to life with seasonal music favorites.
MINNEAPOLIS — The magic of the holidays is coming to the Orpheum Theatre this weekend with Cirque Dreams Holidaze.
The production is billed as a combination of a Broadway show and circus arts in a “family-friendly holiday spectacular.”
Audience members can expect to see iconic holiday characters come to life with seasonal music favorites.
Cirque Dreams Holidaze will have four performances at the Orpheum from Friday, Dec. 20 through Sunday, Dec. 22. Ticket prices range from $34 to $130 and can be purchased at the State Theatre Box Office or online at HennepinArts.org.
- Friday, Dec. 20 @ 7 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 21 @ 12 p.m.
- Saturday, Dec. 21 @ 4 p.m.
- Sunday, Dec. 22 @ 2 p.m.
Police say 13-year-old Deneja Morse and her 12-year-old brother Alonzo have not been accounted for since getting off their school bus Thursday afternoon.
MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are asking for help in locating two siblings who haven’t been accounted for since getting off their school bus Thursday afternoon.
A post on the MPD Facebook page says 13-year-old Deneja Leanna Raquel Morse and her 12-year-old brother Alonzo Lee Morse were seen getting off the bus near the intersection of W. 32nd St. and Emerson Ave. S., and there whereabouts are currently unknown.
Police say the siblings live with their father on the 3300 block of Girard Ave. S., but also have family on the 700 block of Penn Ave. N and a grandmother who is currently staying at the Hilton Holiday Inn near downtown. Both Deneja and Alonzo attend the Anderson School in Minneapolis.
Deneja is described as approximately 5 feet 7 inches tall and 120 pounds with black weave hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black jacket and blue jeans.
Alonzo is also 5 feet 7 inches tall and 120 pounds. He was wearing a green and black vest, black hoodie and pants, and white Air Force 1 shoes when last seen.
Anyone who knows where the two might be is asked to call 911, or leave a voicemail with Minneapolis police at 612-673-5845. There is also the option of calling CrimeStoppers Minnesota at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or leaving a tip electronically on the CrimeStoppers website.
The album features classics like “O Holy Night” and “Oh Come All ye Faithful” as well as featuring his children on a rendition of “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.
MINNEAPOLIS — Gospel artist Jovonta Patton is celebrating the season in style with a new Christmas album!
The Minneapolis-born performer is releasing “A Cali Christmas,” named in honor of his daughter, Cali, who was born on Christmas Day.
The EP album features classics like “O Holy Night” and “Oh Come All ye Faithful” as well as featuring his children on a rendition of “Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.”
Patton stopped by KARE 11 News at Noon to talk about the new album and also invited people to join him for worship at The Wave Minnesota every Sunday at 1:45 p.m. The Wave Minnesota worships at 1922 25th Avenue North in Minneapolis.
