Dozens mourn Olivia, Minn., man shot by police; memorial briefly disrupted by pickup drivers

OLIVIA , Minn. — Dozens gathered as the sun set Wednesday, July 7, to remember Ricardo Torres Jr., the man killed by an Olivia Police Department officer during an altercation early Sunday morning, July 4.

Family and friends of Torres, many wearing white shirts that read “Justice for Ricky Torres,” lit candles, reminisced and mourned their friend.

The makeshift memorial in the alleyway Torres was killed is adorned with a cross, flowers, candles and words of remembrance.

“We love you Ricky and you will never be forgotten,” Natasha Lindner, Torres’ girlfriend and mother to his 9-month-old child, said at the vigil.

“No cop should be judge, jury and executioner,” Lindner said.

Meanwhile, a portion of Ninth Street was briefly shut down when people in pick-up trucks adorned with American, Trump and blue line flags, circled the block around the protest and were confronted by mourners. MPR News reported that some trucks stopped and revved their engines, spewing exhaust, while others drove aggressively.

According to city officials, the man identified as Torres was killed during an altercation with an on-duty Olivia Police Department officer who discharged his weapon. The city news release sent July 4 stated he was armed and confronted the officer in an alley around 2:20 a.m. Sunday in the 800 block of Lincoln Avenue, but did not further describe what happened.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension wrote in a news release that a shotgun was found near where Torres was shot and that there is no dash camera or other known video of the shooting. Olivia police officers do not have or wear body cameras.

The officer, Aaron Clouse, has been placed on administrative leave pending the completion of the BCA's investigation.

A public records request sent to Olivia City Administrator Dan Coughlin regarding Clouse's time at the Olivia Police Department has not been fulfilled as of Thursday night.

Torres was transported to Olivia Hospital & Clinic , where he was pronounced dead, according to the release.

Olivia is about 25 miles south of Willmar. The town is the county seat of Renville County.

1/8: Natasha Lindner, the girlfriend of Ricardo Torres Jr. and mother to his child, receives an emotional embrace during a candlelight vigil Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in a downtown Olivia alleyway where 32-year-old Torres was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer on Sunday, July 4, 2021. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

2/8: Community members gather to honor the life of 32-year-old Ricardo Torres Jr. at a candlelight vigil Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in a downtown Olivia alleyway where Torres was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer this past Sunday. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

3/8: Attendees at a memorial for Ricardo Torres Jr. add items to it on July 7. The memorial was placed in the area where Torres Jr. was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer Sunday, July 4, 2021, in a downtown Olivia alleyway. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune file photo

4/8: A memorial was set up in the area where Ricardo Torres Jr. was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer Sunday, July 4, 2021, in a downtown Olivia alleyway. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

5/8: Attendees bow their heads in prayer while holding candles to honor the life of 32-year-old Ricardo Torres Jr. at a candlelight vigil Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in a downtown Olivia alleyway where Torres was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer this past Sunday. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

6/8: Protesters drive by vigil attendees along U.S. 212 and Ninth Street South Wednesday, July 7, 2021, near the downtown Olivia alleyway where 32-year-old Ricardo Torres Jr. was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer this past Sunday. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

7/8: A "Justice for Ricky" sign lies along Ninth Street South Wednesday, July 7, 2021, near the alleyway where Ricardo Torres Jr. was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer Sunday, July 4, 2021, in downtown Olivia. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

8/8: Community members raise their candles to honor the life of 32-year-old Ricardo Torres Jr. at a candlelight vigil Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in a downtown Olivia alleyway where Torres was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer this past Sunday. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

1/8: Natasha Lindner, the girlfriend of Ricardo Torres Jr. and mother to his child, receives an emotional embrace during a candlelight vigil Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in a downtown Olivia alleyway where 32-year-old Torres was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer on Sunday, July 4, 2021. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

2/8: Community members gather to honor the life of 32-year-old Ricardo Torres Jr. at a candlelight vigil Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in a downtown Olivia alleyway where Torres was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer this past Sunday. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

3/8: Attendees at a memorial for Ricardo Torres Jr. add items to it on July 7. The memorial was placed in the area where Torres Jr. was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer Sunday, July 4, 2021, in a downtown Olivia alleyway. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune file photo

4/8: A memorial was set up in the area where Ricardo Torres Jr. was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer Sunday, July 4, 2021, in a downtown Olivia alleyway. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

5/8: Attendees bow their heads in prayer while holding candles to honor the life of 32-year-old Ricardo Torres Jr. at a candlelight vigil Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in a downtown Olivia alleyway where Torres was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer this past Sunday. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

6/8: Protesters drive by vigil attendees along U.S. 212 and Ninth Street South Wednesday, July 7, 2021, near the downtown Olivia alleyway where 32-year-old Ricardo Torres Jr. was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer this past Sunday. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

7/8: A "Justice for Ricky" sign lies along Ninth Street South Wednesday, July 7, 2021, near the alleyway where Ricardo Torres Jr. was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer Sunday, July 4, 2021, in downtown Olivia. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune

8/8: Community members raise their candles to honor the life of 32-year-old Ricardo Torres Jr. at a candlelight vigil Wednesday, July 7, 2021, in a downtown Olivia alleyway where Torres was fatally shot by an Olivia police officer this past Sunday. Erica Dischino / West Central Tribune