An Itasca County sheriff’s deputy was shot Monday while responding to a call in the small north-central Minnesota community of Max, authorities said. The deputy was taken for medical care and is now in stable condition, the suspect is in custody, and state agents have been called in to investigate the shooting.
Deputy Airlifted To Duluth, Injuries Called Not Life-Threatening
As reported by CBS Minnesota, the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office said the deputy was airlifted to a Duluth hospital and was in stable condition. The Minnesota State Fraternal Order of Police described the deputy’s injuries as not life-threatening. Officials added that there is no ongoing threat to the public while the investigation plays out.
BCA Takes Lead In Use-Of-Force Probe
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the investigation. KSTP reported that the agency posted online that “agents and crime scene personnel are investigating a use-of-force incident in Max Township.” The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office also shared a notice about the shooting on Facebook, and the Itasca County Sheriff’s Office said it is fully cooperating with the BCA, according to Northern News Now.
Suspect Booked, Details Still Limited
Star Tribune reporting shows an 18-year-old man with a Max address was booked into the Itasca County jail Monday night. He was being held on an arrest warrant for failing to appear in court on a prior assault charge. Sheriff Joe Dasovich told the paper that no new charges had been filed as of Monday night and that more information will be released after the preliminary investigation is completed.
What Officials Will Not Say
Dasovich told the Star Tribune that the suspect “went for the deputy’s sidearm,” but he declined to elaborate on how the deputy ended up being shot. The paper also noted that a video circulating online appears to show the deputy’s bloodied right leg being treated on a porch and that the deputy was wearing a body camera at the time of the encounter.
Next Steps In The Investigation
According to FOX 9, the BCA will continue its use-of-force investigation and plans to release additional information once a preliminary review is finished. Itasca County officials have urged the public to give investigators room to work as they coordinate with state agents on the case.
