The tragic conclusion of a domestic dispute in Paynesville has left an 80-year-old man dead, according to details released by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). Larry Dale Alstead, the man involved in the incident that occurred on June 2, sustained multiple gunshot injuries, but a self-inflicted gunshot wound was the cause of his death, as determined by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.
During the incident, Sgt. Paul Orvis, a deputy with the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, discharged his firearm, the BCA reported. Following protocol, the deputy, with 23 years in the force, was placed on critical incident leave. The scene unfolded after law enforcement, including officers from the Paynesville Police Department, Stearns County Sheriff’s Office, and the Cold Spring Police Department, were called to a domestic assault at a home on the 600 block of Stearns Avenue in Paynesville on a report received just after 9 p.m.
An adult female with non-life-threatening injuries was found upon their arrival, who reported her husband, Alstead, had assaulted her. Alstead was reportedly locked in the basement with a handgun at the time, according to the victim's account, as cited by the BCA. In an attempt to arrest Alstead, the situation escalated when he appeared at the basement stairs armed, prompting Orvis to discharge his weapon twice before Alstead turned the gun on himself. Despite efforts to render medical aid, Alstead's injuries proved fatal.
The BCA has collected evidence from the scene, including a handgun and casings. Adding to the layers of this investigation, it was stated that all officers and deputies involved were wearing body cameras during this incident, potentially providing critical insight into the series of events. Current investigations by the BCA into the incident are still active, and, upon completion, findings will be forwarded to the Stearns County Attorney's Office for review, without recommendations for charges, as per the process followed in such cases.
For those seeking more information, the BCA's official statement regarding this force incident can be found here.
