Demand an Independent Investigation into the Police Killing of Desaver Hollis
Demand an Independent Investigation into the Police Killing of Desaver Hollis
The Issue
On April 29, 2026, Desaver Hollis, a 27-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by Richfield, Minnesota police officers after being identified as a suspect in a reported vehicle theft. According to body-worn camera footage released by the city, officers fired at least 20 shots at Hollis — including while he was on the ground.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is currently leading the use-of-force investigation. But the BCA works alongside Minnesota law enforcement every day. That relationship makes it impossible for this investigation to be truly independent — and Desaver Hollis's family, and the public, deserve better than that.
Hollis had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and had previously been civilly committed. His family, now represented by a national civil rights law firm, has called the footage released by the city "redacted and heavily edited." "What we do know is 20 shots were fired," said Nicole Holliday, the family's legal liaison. "Question is, at what point is it excessive force? We have another Black man dead after interaction with police."
That question deserves a real answer — from investigators with no stake in the outcome.
We are calling on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison to appoint a fully independent special investigator to review this shooting, with no ties to Richfield police or the BCA. The investigation must include access to all unedited body-worn camera footage and be made public in its entirety.
We are also calling on Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty to conduct a rigorous, independent review of whether the force used rises to the level of criminal conduct. Accountability cannot be optional.
Desaver Hollis was someone's son, brother, and uncle. His family is grieving without answers. They deserve a process they can trust — and so does everyone watching to see whether Minnesota will hold its law enforcement accountable.
Sign this petition to demand a truly independent investigation and a serious review of potential criminal charges.
348
The Issue
On April 29, 2026, Desaver Hollis, a 27-year-old Black man, was shot and killed by Richfield, Minnesota police officers after being identified as a suspect in a reported vehicle theft. According to body-worn camera footage released by the city, officers fired at least 20 shots at Hollis — including while he was on the ground.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is currently leading the use-of-force investigation. But the BCA works alongside Minnesota law enforcement every day. That relationship makes it impossible for this investigation to be truly independent — and Desaver Hollis's family, and the public, deserve better than that.
Hollis had been diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and had previously been civilly committed. His family, now represented by a national civil rights law firm, has called the footage released by the city "redacted and heavily edited." "What we do know is 20 shots were fired," said Nicole Holliday, the family's legal liaison. "Question is, at what point is it excessive force? We have another Black man dead after interaction with police."
That question deserves a real answer — from investigators with no stake in the outcome.
We are calling on Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Attorney General Keith Ellison to appoint a fully independent special investigator to review this shooting, with no ties to Richfield police or the BCA. The investigation must include access to all unedited body-worn camera footage and be made public in its entirety.
We are also calling on Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty to conduct a rigorous, independent review of whether the force used rises to the level of criminal conduct. Accountability cannot be optional.
Desaver Hollis was someone's son, brother, and uncle. His family is grieving without answers. They deserve a process they can trust — and so does everyone watching to see whether Minnesota will hold its law enforcement accountable.
Sign this petition to demand a truly independent investigation and a serious review of potential criminal charges.
348
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Petition created on May 12, 2026