BCA Identifies Suspect, Officers in Brooklyn Center Police Shooting
BY MN CRIME STAFF
The man fatally shot by Brooklyn Center police Monday afternoon has been officially identified as 23-year-old Eddie Darren Duncan, with investigators releasing new details about the officer-involved shooting that followed a series of violent events earlier the same day.
The shooting happened just before 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in the 5600 block of Brooklyn Boulevard after reports that a man was waving a handgun in a business parking lot.
When officers arrived, they located Duncan armed with a handgun. According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, Duncan fired toward officers as they approached, striking a fully marked squad car. Officers returned fire, striking Duncan, who ran a short distance before collapsing.
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Officers immediately rendered medical aid until paramedics arrived and transported Duncan to a local hospital, where he died from his injuries. No officers were hurt during the encounter.
The BCA identified three Brooklyn Center police officers who fired their department-issued firearms. Officer Christian Lausen, who has four years of law enforcement experience, Officer Francisco Martinez, who has three years of experience, and Officer Wahid Gul, who has five years of experience. All three officers have been placed on critical incident leave per department policy.
PREVIOUSLY: Suspect Freed From Jail Before 2 Cousins Killed
Crime scene personnel recovered a handgun and spent shell casings at the scene. Authorities said body-worn cameras and squad cameras were active and captured portions of the incident. The Brooklyn Center Police Department requested the BCA conduct the independent investigation, which will be forwarded to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for review.
READ MORE > Brooklyn Center coverage
The shooting came just hours after authorities say Duncan killed two relatives inside a north Minneapolis home. Police were called around 3:30 p.m. Monday to a residence in the 4200 block of Irving Avenue North, where Duncan’s cousins, ages 14 and 23, were found suffering from gunshot wounds and later pronounced dead. Family members, including children, were inside the home at the time. Investigators say Duncan left the scene before officers later encountered him in Brooklyn Center.
Court records show Duncan had been released from the Hennepin County Jail earlier that afternoon after posting $35,000 bail in a pending felony case involving fleeing police and possession of a machine-gun conversion device. Prosecutors had argued he posed a public safety risk before bail was set at $70,000 or $35,000 with conditions, including a prohibition on possessing firearms and requirements that he obey all laws and remain in Minnesota.
PREVIOUSLY: 2 Dead After Suspect Opens Fire Inside North Minneapolis Home
The earlier case stemmed from a May 2025 incident in Robbinsdale in which investigators alleged Duncan fled a traffic stop at speeds reaching 70 to 90 mph before crashing and running from the vehicle. Officers recovered a Glock handgun equipped with an extended magazine and an auto sear device capable of continuous fire. Charges were filed Jan. 30, and Duncan was arrested Feb. 15 on a warrant. While in custody, court records show he refused multiple scheduled court appearances before a judge ordered a psychological competency evaluation and approved his release on bond Feb. 23.
Authorities have not said where the gun used in the shootings came from, confirming only that investigators continue to review evidence as both the homicide investigation and the officer use-of-force review remain active.
The shooting happened just before 4 p.m. Monday, Feb. 23, in the 5600 block of Brooklyn Boulevard after reports that a man was waving a handgun in a business parking lot.