Sgt. Cody Blanshan Identified as St. Paul Police Officer Who Fatally Shot Howard Johnson

12/8/2022

The MN Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified Sgt. Cody Blanshan of the St. Paul Police Department (Badge #58905) as the officer responsible for fatally shooting a 24 year old Black man named Howard Johnson on December 5th.

Blanshan was responding to a call near Earl Street and Hudson Road when he saw Johnson running on foot. An officer then struck Johnson with a squad car, before Blanshan fired at him.

Blanshan, who has been an officer for 10 years, is on administrative leave. According to @cuapbmn’s website, Blanshan has no prior complaints.

Earlier today, Johnson’s family gathered for a press conference demanding transparency. They asked for all of the body cam and dash cam footage to be released from the incident.

Monique Johnson, mother of Howard Johnson, said at the press conference,

"I want justice for my child. I want justice for all the Black men that have been killed by police.” She continued, “That is my child. I deserve to know what happened to him."

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