Off-duty St. Louis Park officer fatally shoots man

Jason Martin was killed in scuffle after the officer spotted a vehicle driving erratically in St. Louis Park.

By PAUL WALSH and ABBY SIMONS pwalsh@startribune.com, Star Tribune

Last update: November 3, 2009 - 8:59 PM

A 29-year-old Twin Cities man was fatally shot by an off-duty police officer in St. Louis Park early Tuesday after the officer saw the truck the victim was in driving erratically, police said.

Jason Anthony Martin, last listed as living in Champlin, was shot near Minnetonka Boulevard and Salem Avenue about 2:20 a.m., said St. Louis Park spokesman Jamie Zwilling.

The officer, John Herman, is a 5 1/2-year veteran of the department who "holds a good performance record free of blemishes," Zwilling said in a news release. Herman was placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard. The Hennepin County Sheriff's Office is investigating the shooting to avoid a conflict of interest.

Authorities say Herman was in his own vehicle after his shift when he saw a pickup driving erratically on Minnetonka Boulevard. Both vehicles stopped, but Zwilling said it is unclear whether Herman stopped the pickup. An altercation followed between Herman and "at least one of the occupants," and Herman shot Martin, according to Zwilling.

Authorities would not say whether Martin was armed or what spurred the altercation. The county medical examiner said that Martin died of multiple gunshot wounds. Zwilling said it remains under investigation whether Herman was in full, partial or no uniform.

Another man in the pickup was arrested by the Sheriff's Office on an outstanding warrant. Authorities would not say who was driving.

Martin's criminal record included traffic violations and petty misdemeanor possession of a small amount of marijuana nearly a decade ago. Herman was treated at a hospital for minor injuries and released.

Martin's wife, Andrea Martin, declined comment Tuesday, other than to say that she was not in the pickup.

According to Martin's Facebook page, he is the father of a young daughter and served in the U.S. Marine Corps as a legal adviser. He wrote that he was looking forward to a job as a steel roofer.

On the page, messages inquiring about Martin's plans for the past weekend quickly changed to messages of condolence and outrage over the death of their friend "Martini."

"RIP man," one friend wrote. "I will miss you."

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482