The findings of a review on the officer-involved shooting that occurred on March 2, 2024 in St. Michael, which resulted in the death of a 67-year-old male, have been made public. According to a statement released by the Wright County Attorney's Office, Deputy Austin Feenstra has been cleared of any wrongdoing in the case after the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's investigation.

Senior Special Agent Sean Mooney, who led the Force Investigation Unit, concluded after an extensive review of the evidence that Deputy Feenstra's response was justified and in compliance with Minn. Stat.

§609.066, Subd. 2. "The use of deadly force by Deputy Austin Feenstra was authorized and justified," the statement noted, pointing out that the officer believed himself to be in imminent danger of being killed or suffering great bodily harm at the hands of the male who was armed. "The totality of circumstances known to Deputy Feenstra at the time he used deadly force," as the statement obtained by the publication said, "an objectively reasonable officer would have believed deadly force was necessary to protect Deputy Feenstra from death or great bodily harm."

It was detailed that the individual was about to assault Feenstra with what seemed to be a knife, later identified as a metal rod approximately nine inches in length. According to the report, the male was within five feet, lunging to stab the deputy. No criminal charges will be pursued in the incident, as the actions taken by Deputy Feenstra were statutorily justified, and articulated with specificity both by Deputy Feenstra and SSA Mooney, who thoroughly summarized the squad video depicting the scenario.

The public release of this information marks the conclusion of this part of the investigation, though community reactions and further discussions are likely to follow, considering the fatal outcome. No additional details on potential civil proceedings or internal departmental reviews following the incident have been provided at this time.