“They Deserve Answers”: Hollis Family Seeks Transparency After Meeting Canceled
- Rebecca Gilbuena
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
The family of Desaver Hollis is calling for transparency after a planned meeting with investigators was canceled Monday, just days after he was shot and killed during an encounter with the Richfield Police Department.
According to the initial press release by Richfield Police, around 3:25 a.m. on April 29, officers responded to a report of a car prowler. They said a suspect fled on foot, then “brandished a firearm,” leading to an exchange of gunfire.
Desaver Hollis died at the scene, and an officer was treated for a gunshot wound to the hand. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is leading the investigation.
“I do not like the narrative that was immediately put out,” said Nikki Holliday, a legal advocate working with the family, who helped arrange the meeting. “To just say a weapon was brandished and gunfire was exchanged leaves a lot to question.”
On Monday, Desaver’s family was scheduled to meet with the BCA’s special agent in charge to begin reviewing key details, including autopsy findings and the process for accessing body camera footage. But as the family waited in the BCA lobby, the meeting was canceled.
Meeting Canceled, Family Told to Hire an Attorney
Holliday said BCA officials had initially been responsive. Over the weekend, she spoke with Special Agent in Charge James Reyerson who told her, “My goal is for the family to be able to see this footage within five days of the incident.”
In that same phone call, Reyerson told Holliday that Desaver’s autopsy had been completed. The two agreed to meet Monday so information could be shared directly with the family.
But as the meeting was supposed to happen, BCA officials cited concerns about a “false narrative” that the family would view footage that day, something Holliday disputes.
“The statement I put out to media said this was a meeting to ask questions and to get a meeting set up to view the body cam footage,” she said. “Once we went in for our 11 a.m. meeting, they decided to cancel the meeting. And they have now stated that the family needs to hire an attorney.”
Community Support, Familiar Frustrations
Outside the BCA, community members gathered in support of Desaver's family. Among them was Valerie Castile, whose son Philando Castile was killed by St. Anthony police during a traffic stop in 2016.
“There’s a certain amount of information that should be given to the families. It's horrible, just sitting in limbo and not knowing what’s going on with the case,” Valerie said. “I’ve gone through the same thing. It’s a hurtful process, and I just want them to know that they are not alone.”
Advocates say cases like Desaver’s highlight the importance of scrutinizing initial police narratives, which can shape public perception before evidence is released.
After the killing of George Floyd, early statements from the Minneapolis Police Department described a “medical emergency,” a claim later contradicted by video evidence. In the shooting of Amir Locke, authorities released images of a firearm even though he was not named in the warrant and was legally carrying. Earlier this year, federal officials labeled Renee Good and Alex Pretti as “domestic terrorists.”
These initial characterizations were all wrong and harmful. For Desaver’s family, the immediate focus remains access to information before drawing conclusions.
“Regardless of the circumstances, Desaver Hollis’ life deserves to be treated with dignity,” said Holliday. “His family deserves the opportunity to fully understand the events that led to his death. We will remain present—paying close attention—until the full truth is made clear.”
There is a GoFundMe set up to help Desaver’s family cover funeral expenses and the cost of travel.
