Family identifies man killed by St. Paul police

ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) - Relatives of a man fatally shot by St. Paul police are asking the public to remain calm as they wait for answers about his death.

Police said the man, identified by family members as 24-year-old Marcus Golden, was shot as he drove his vehicle toward officers Wednesday after they responded to a woman's complaint about receiving threatening text messages.

No officers were injured. Police said a gun was recovered at the scene and that the investigation was ongoing.

"We realize there are many questions surrounding the shooting and we ask the public to remain calm as, together, we await the answers," the family said in a statement, which said Golden was a beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew and cousin.

Police records show that Golden had made threats against officers and others as recently as last November.

As one officer drove him to jail, he said, "I hope you get killed soon, go to hell bro," and "You devils gonna' burn in hell," among other things, according to one report. He was arrested for allegedly breaking windows and making threats at the apartment of Michael Elton, an ex-girlfriend's father.

Golden was not charged, but the father obtained a restraining order. It wasn't immediately clear whether that ex-girlfriend was the same woman Golden allegedly threatened this week.

"I consider him dangerous," Elton said. "Throwing a brick through the window is dangerous."

The St. Paul NAACP has called for an independent investigation into the shooting. Its president, Jeff Martin, said the investigating agency should be "totally removed" from the city or state. Golden was black; the races of the officers were not released.