Minn. Sheriff's Deputy Injured, Suspects Dead During Shootout

Feb. 25, 2014

The Douglas County Sheriff's deputy shot in the chest was wearing a bulletproof vest and returned fire.

Two people are dead and a Douglas County Sheriff's Deputy was hurt following an officer-involved shooting Monday night southeast of Alexandria, according to a news release from the Douglas County Sheriff's Office.

A deputy responded at 9:17 p.m. to a report of a suspicious vehicle in a driveway just off 50th Avenue in Hudson Township. When the deputy made contact with two people inside the suspicious vehicle, one of the occupants fired a gun at the deputy, hitting him in the chest. The deputy returned fire, and the suspects fled in the vehicle.

The occupants then fled on foot after the vehicle got stuck in the snow just a short distance away. Both of them were found dead in deep snow near an outbuilding, following an extensive search. A firearm was found near their bodies.

The deputy involved in the shooting was wearing a bullet resistant vest. He was treated at Douglas County Hospital and later released.

The Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office will determine the cause of death for the suspects.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is handling the ongoing investigation. Additional information will be released when it becomes available.

The Alexandria Police Department, Minnesota State Patrol, Minnesota DNR, BCA and numerous area law enforcement agencies assisted the Douglas County Sheriff's Office in the case.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service