The gunman that died in a gunfire exchange between himself and sheriff deputies on Wednesday has been identified. Clint Hoyhtya, 28 of Minnetonka, died due to multiple gunshot wounds, ruled the Hennepin County Medical Examiner April 12.
An altercation involving a gunfire exchange resulted in Hoyhtya’s death and two injured Hennepin County Sheriff’s deputies at a home on the 13400 block of Crestwood Drive East in Minnetonka. The incident prompted a shelter in place alert for the neighborhood late that morning, April 10.
According to the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, two HCSO deputies were injured while executing a felony warrant arrest at a residence. One deputy was shot and transported to the hospital for non-life-threatening injuries. The other deputy was treated and released on scene.
Hoyhtya died on scene following the exchange of gunfire. State investigators have not clarified whether he was the subject of the warrant.
“We are still in the process of determining the identity of the deceased person. An autopsy will be conducted. ... Once that occurs, there will be an identification of that individual,” said Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans in an afternoon press conference at Minneapolis City Hall.
The medical examiner ruled Hoyhtya’s death a homicide, with a disclaimer that the ruling was not meant to determine “culpability or intent.”
“Manner of death classification is a statutory function of the medical examiner, as part of death certification for purposes of vital statistics and public health,” the report read. “Manner of death is not a legal determination of culpability or intent.
“Under Minnesota state law, the Medical Examiner is a neutral and independent office and is separate and distinct from any prosecutorial authority or law enforcement agency.”
A synopsis of the events that transpired on Crestview Drive was provided by Minnetonka Police Chief Scott Boerboom.
Boerboom reported, “At about 11:20 a.m. [April 10], our officers received a request to respond to an address in our city to assist the Sheriff’s Office, who was trying to serve an arrest warrant and there was at some point an exchange of gunfire.”
At the press conference, he added that the situation was contained and that there was no threat to the surrounding area at that time.
The HCSO identified the hospitalized officer as Deputy Christopher Heihn April 12 through a post on Facebook.
The post read, “Yesterday, members of the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and hundreds of emergency responders stood in gratitude as Deputy Christopher Heihn was discharged from the hospital… Deputy Heihn is an integral part of our Sheriff’s Office family, and we honor his bravery and dedication to public safety.”
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Witt said she had visited the injured deputy in the hospital and spoke with his family.
“In my talking with the family and our injured deputy, I cannot begin to tell you the emotions that are going on right now. ... Assaults against law enforcement are becoming increasingly common in Minnesota. ... This has got to stop,” the sheriff said.
Following the incident, Eden Prairie Schools sent the following email to families: “We’re aware of a police incident that occurred in Minnetonka a short while ago. We have been in contact with the Eden Prairie Police Department and confirmed our schools and students are safe and there is no impact to our buildings. School will continue as normal this afternoon with regular dismissal.”
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