Police searching for suspect after St. Kate’s librarian killed in hit-and-run near Lake Nokomis

Kristi Belcamino, Pioneer Press
Updated ·1 min read

Authorities are asking for the public’s help in locating the driver who struck and killed a 39-year-old man near Lake Nokomis in Minneapolis Thursday morning.

St. Catherine University identified the man as David Philip Norris, who had worked as a librarian at the school and said he was “driven by a passion for equity in information access and connecting users with the resources they need.”

About 7:10 a.m. Thursday, police received a call that a man was in a snowbank near Cedar Avenue South and East Lake Nokomis Parkway. Emergency responders were already there when police arrived and Norris was pronounced dead.

St. Kate’s said Norris had received his master’s degree in library and information science from there in 2017 and worked as a cataloging and metadata librarian at the school since 2019.

“His commitment to confronting bias and his leadership in promoting inclusivity and diversity was deeply admired by the library community. His work in this field inspired and influenced regional and national audiences,” the university said on its website. “David was caring and inquisitive. He enjoyed gaming, learning languages, traveling, and exploring the outdoors. He will be sincerely missed … Please keep David and his loved ones in your thoughts and prayers.”

St. Kate’s said details on his memorial were not yet available.

Police said it appeared the man was struck by a hit-and-run driver and ask for anyone with information on the crime to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). or to submit information at crimestoppersmn.org. All tipsters will remain anonymous. Anyone who gives information leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a reward.

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