Family of Minneapolis woman murdered in domestic violence case demands changes to police response

Family members and supporters of Mariah Samuels rallied in Minneapolis to demand accountability from the police following her murder, which has raised concerns about systemic failures in handling domestic violence cases. Chief Brian O’Hara ordered a review of the Minneapolis Police Department's (MPD) response to her case and announced plans for all officers to be retrained on domestic violence protocols by the end of 2025. Just weeks before her murder, Samuels suffered a violent assault by her ex-boyfriend, David Wright, who has since been charged with second-degree murder. Critics pointed out that no investigator was assigned to her case after the assault, highlighting significant lapses in police procedures. O’Hara acknowledged that low staffing levels contributed to the shortcomings in handling such cases, with only five investigators currently in the domestic assault unit, down from twelve in 2019.

The rally also included family members of other victims of domestic violence, emphasizing a broader call for reform. Activists urged Mayor Jacob Frey to take action to improve the city’s response to domestic violence. The tragic circumstances surrounding Samuels’ case have sparked urgent discussions about the need for systemic changes in police procedures.