Two Eagan Police Officers on Leave After Killing Suspect

Two Eagan police officers have been placed on standard administrative leave after fatally shooting a suspect Sunday.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating the fatal police shooting that happened on Sunday, Aug. 28, in Eagan.

Two Eagan police officers fatally shot a man who was reportedly shooting off a gun in the driveway of an apartment building.

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

Eagan police officers were responding to several 911 calls that came in just before 12:00 p.m. Sunday about an individual who was shooting a handgun outside a building on the 1200 block of Ironwood Lane, where Kulhanek-Derks lived.

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 dead at the scene.

The two officers who fired their weapons are:

• Sgt. Nathan Tennessen, 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.

The Star Tribune reported that this is the first officer-involved shooting in Eagan that resulted in a death since 1992.

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

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.

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