Robbinsdale Police Request ‘Unprecedented’ State Review in Khalil Azad’s Death
The Robbinsdale Police Department has formally requested an outside investigation by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to review the death of Khalil Azad. CCX News has also learned that police camera footage surrounding the incident is expected to be released as early as tomorrow.
Azad is the man whose body was found last July in Crystal Lake. The body turned up two days after Azad allegedly fled from Robbinsdale police after officers tried to arrest him for suspected drunken driving.
According to details of the July traffic stop, police say they tried to pull over the driver of an SUV in the 4200 block of County Road 81 shortly before 1:30 a.m. on July 3. Police say the driver did not stop. The driver then struck a curb and hit a tree in the 3900 block of Lakeland Avenue N., about a quarter mile after the initial attempted stop, police said.
After the vehicle came to a stop, police say the driver fled with two passengers remaining behind. Robbinsdale police received assistance from the Minnesota State Patrol helicopter and a K9 track started by the Plymouth Police Department. About 30 minutes after the K9 and helicopter search began, police say the search was terminated.
Police say they never saw where the driver ran and two police dogs never detected a scent.
“No one engaged in a foot pursuit at that time,” said Capt. John Elder, spokesperson for Robbinsdale police. “They made the decision to stay with the two people in the vehicle.”
Neither of the passengers identified the driver, police said.
Two days later, shortly before 1 p.m. on July 5, a passersby reported seeing a body along the shoreline of Crystal Lake. The body was identified to be Khalil Azad. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner listed Azad’s age as 24.
The medical examiner ruled the death was an accidental drowning. But a spokesperson for Black Lives Matter says the family doesn’t believe he drowned.
“According to his family he was a proficient swimmer, and he was 6’1″ so that’s why they don’t really believe that the family doesn’t believe he drowned in 2 feet of water or that he drowned in the lake,” said Trahern Crews, Black Lives Matter spokesperson during a meeting last week hosted by CAIR-MN.
winter view of Crystal Lake in Robbinsdale
Family of Khalil Azad demands outside investigation
CCX News spoke Monday with a member of Azad’s family who claim police were behind Azad’s death. They also refer to unofficially released autopsy photos.
“The autopsy says there are no bruises on Khalil’s body, however, photos clearly show otherwise. If it was an accidental drowning, why are there dog bites on his face, body, arms, and bruises on his back?” read a statement provided by Black Lives Matter of Minnesota.
According to the Black Lives Matter statement, the family is calling for an outside death investigation and an investigation into the policies and practices of the Hennepin County Medical Examiner. The family also wants to suspend all K9 units in the state of Minnesota.
On Friday, Robbinsdale Police Chief Patrick Foley released a statement in response to the claims.
“This past week, we have received inquiries with regards to the cause of death of Mr. Azad. This has fueled many questions from the community. Although a thorough investigation was completed last year, in an effort of transparency, we support an independent agency to review all relevant evidence, reports and information regarding this incident,” read the statement by Foley.
Elder says the request by the Robbinsdale police to seek a BCA review is “unprecedented.” He also says the release of the video is a tedious process because state law requires non-law enforcement personnel to be redacted in the footage.
On Wednesday, community activists are planning to hold a rally at the Robbinsdale police station in support of Khalil Azad and his family.
Corey Bork contributed to this report.
