The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has released details surrounding a tragic confrontation on November 13 in Clearwater County that resulted in the death of 75-year-old Dennis Hoie from Bagley, as identified by the University of North Dakota Forensic Pathology Center. The BCA stated that Clearwater County Deputy Noah Hallman, who discharged his weapon during the incident, is a three-year law enforcement veteran and is currently on critical incident leave following the events.
According to the BCA, Hoie was spotted by a deputy at a gas station and was being sought on outstanding felony warrants when an attempt to arrest him turned into a pursuit after Hoie resisted and fled the scene in his pickup truck. The chase, involving both county deputies and a Bagley police officer, culminated when a police maneuver forced Hoie's vehicle to a halt on a residential driveway on McDougal Avenue Northwest, and what followed turned fatal for Hoie and left a deputy with a minor head injury.
The preliminary investigation reveals that Hallman discharged his firearm after Hoie, barricaded in his truck, fired a flare gun towards the deputies attempting to apprehend him; the BCA also found an orange-colored flare gun at the scene. In addition, Hallman's body camera was reportedly active and recording what transpired during the encounter, the details of which are under review by the BCA.
The investigation into the use of force requested by the Clearwater County Sheriff's Office is ongoing, once complete, the BCA will forward its findings to the Clearwater County Attorney's Office to contemplate any charges, medical aid was provided to Hoie but despite efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene; the county sheriff's office has yet to release a statement regarding the incident. Deputy Hallman, aside from being placed on leave, has not made any public comments since the incident transpired.
