No Body Camera Footage In Fatal Lakeville Deputy Shooting

LAKEVILLE, MN — The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office says it does not have body-worn camera video capturing the fatal Feb. 28 shooting in Lakeville involving its deputies. The office purchased body-worn cameras in December 2019 and says it anticipates implementing them into its patrol division this spring.

On Friday at 11:41 a.m., officers from the Dakota County Sheriff's Office and the Lakeville Police Department tried to serve an emergency order for protection, which included an order for the person to vacate a residence.

The person had an active arrest warrant for fourth degree assault on a peace officer, police said. The man has had previous run-ins with the Lakeville Police Department, according to a news release.

Within seconds of police entering the residence, the man opened fire on officers, according to authorities. One Dakota County deputy returned fire and killed the man.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner identified the man as Kent Richard Kruger, 36. He died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the examiner.

The sheriff's office identified the deputy who fired his weapon in the deadly shooting as Sergeant Scott Durdall.

Durdall has been employed by the office since June 1997. He was promoted to sergeant in December 2006 and assigned as a supervisor in patrol and most recently the civil division.

Durdall previously served on the tactical team for 15 years and was the team’s commander for several years. He currently provides oversight to the sheriff’s office use of force and firearms training and was an instructor for each throughout his career.

Durdall has no discipline in his 22-year career and has received multiple commendations, authorities said. He and the four other deputies who were involved in the incident are on standard administrative leave.

As a Dakota County deputy’s actions will be the subject of this investigation, the Dakota County Attorney’s Office has conflicted the case to the Anoka County Attorney’s Office. Once the BCA’s investigation is concluded, it will be referred to the Anoka County Attorney’s Office for review.

This remains an active investigation and more details of what occurred cannot be shared at this time, officials noted.

"We ask for patience as the BCA continues to investigate the matter," the sheriff's office said in a statement Tuesday. "Sergeant Durdall and the other responding deputies and officers were fired upon by a man with a rifle. His family, his life and that of the other deputies and officers involved are forever changed."