Officers, Subject Identified in Fatal Eagan Shooting

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating an officer involved shooting incident that happened on Sunday, Aug. 28, in Eagan.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the deceased subject as Justin Lee Kulhanek-Derks, 37, of Eagan.

The medical examiner determined Kulhanek-Derks died of a gunshot wound to the head. The manner of death is pending further investigation.

Eagan police officers were responding to several 911 calls that came in just before noon about an individual who was shooting a handgun outside of 1284 Ironwood Lane, a building where Kulhanek-Derks lived that is part of a large, multi-building apartment complex, according to a news release.

According to the preliminary investigation, when officers arrived they approached Kulhanek-Derks on foot and were immediately fired upon. Two officers returned fire, striking Kulhanek-Derks. He was pronounced deceased at the scene.

The two officers who fired their weapons are:

• Sgt. Nathan Tennessen is an 18-year veteran of the Eagan Police Department
• Officer Alison Burstein has been with Eagan Police Department for four years

Both are on standard administrative leave.

Investigators are aware of no video of the incident. Officers were not wearing body cams.

This is an active and ongoing investigation. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will turn its findings over to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office for review.

Assistance was provided at the scene by the Apple Valley and Mendota Heights police departments and the Minnesota State Patrol.

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