No Charges in Suspicious Drowning Investigation of Khalil Azad

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced today that the office found no evidence of inappropriate behavior by law enforcement and will not file any charges related to the death of Khalil Azad. The announcement came after they say they completed thorough review of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s independent investigation. The investigation was conducted at the request of the Robbinsdale Police Department.

You may remember we reported on this story earlier this year. Khalil was in a chase with police when he got out his vehicle and ran. His body was later discovered in a nearby lake.

“My thoughts are with Khalil Azad’s family and loved ones in this difficult time,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “Losing someone so young is devastating. Although this is not the result they hoped for, our victim support team remains available to help them through this extremely difficult time.”

In a statement the Hennepin County Attorney's office said all cases, the office must determine whether criminal activity occurred that a prosecutor could prove beyond a reasonable doubt. Based on the evidence uncovered in the BCA’s investigation, Azad died by tragic accidental drowning in Crystal Lake.

The question that we still have about the case however is why wasn't body camera footage from all agencies involved released? Especially the footage from the agency who used search dogs?

“The BCA uncovered no evidence that any member of law enforcement had any physical contact with Khalil after the initial traffic stop,” Moriarty said. “The investigation also did not reveal evidence that any member of law enforcement did anything other than seek in earnest to locate Khalil, utilizing multiple officers from multiple agencies, multiple K9s, a State Patrol helicopter, and thermal imaging, and trying to acquire information from the two others who had been in the same vehicle.”

According to a press release for Moriarty's office the Hennepin County Medical Examiner conducted an autopsy that provides a detailed account of the condition of Azad’s body and indicated no finding that any apparent injuries or Azad’s death were either self-inflicted or caused by another person. The manner of death was ruled an accident, while the cause of death was identified as freshwater drowning.

The County Attorney’s Office review was conducted by senior attorneys in the office, who then made a recommendation to decline charges. County Attorney Moriarty agreed with the recommendation and made the final decision. Moriarty shared this conclusion today with the relevant law enforcement agencies and in a private meeting with Azad’s family.