Mariah Samuels After Action Review

At a glance

Based on human-uploaded captions, which may still contain errors in names and numbers.

What: a resolution (item 21 of the Public Health, Safety and Equity report) asking the City Auditor to undertake an independent after-action review of the City's response to domestic-violence calls for service made by Mariah Samuels, and of the City's investigation into her death.
Where it stands: approved 12-0 on October 15.
Update, October 21: the Public Health, Safety and Equity Committee held a public comment period on the City's response to domestic violence calls for service by Ms. Samuels. About ten residents and family members spoke and the comments were received and filed. The review is awaited; no date was given.
Next: the City Auditor carries out the review; no date was given.

Council Member Chavez authored the resolution. Ms. Samuels, 34, was shot and killed by her abuser in front of her father's home on September 14, 2025, after repeated attempts to seek help and protection from the Minneapolis Police Department.
The resolution asks whether protocols, resource allocation and risk assessment adequately protect victims who seek help.
Council Member Chowdhury said the warning signs were there and the systems failed her and her family, noted an earlier after-action review in the Allison Lussier case, and said this is a separate case with unique circumstances. Council Member Chowdhury asked to be added as a co-author.

About ten speakers, including relatives of Ms. Samuels and members of community groups, thanked Council Member Chavez for holding the hearing and called for an independent investigation, discipline for the officers involved, and community-led oversight. Speakers criticized the mayor and the police department, said the department had too few detectives assigned to domestic violence, and said Ms. Samuels had called 911 hours before she was killed. These are the speakers' statements; the captions do not show any response from the administration.
A survivor of domestic violence urged the Council to make taking such calls seriously. A relative said the family had asked for a meeting with the mayor and that their father could not attend.
Council Member Wonsley shared that a relative of hers was killed in a domestic violence case in Chicago and said the family has a champion in her. Vice Chair Stevenson thanked the family for carrying the torch.
Council Member Chavez said the Council approved an action asking the Audit Committee to conduct an after action review and that it must happen "one way or another"; if not through the Audit Department, the Council will find another way.

About 29 minutes across 2 meetings (from transcript timestamps; approximate).

Meeting	Minutes
2026-10-21 - Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee	25
2026-10-15 - City Council	4

2026-10-21 - Public Health, Safety & Equity Committee - public comment period with about ten speakers calling for an independent investigation and officer discipline; Council members pledged the review will happen.
2026-10-13 - Committee of the Whole - Council Member Chavez reported item 21 asking the City Auditor for an independent after action review; no discussion.
2026-10-15 - City Council - approved 12-0; Council Member Chowdhury joined as co-author.

Marked agenda: public comment received and filed.

Marked agenda: resolution requesting an independent after-action review adopted; Mayor's signature not required.