WI Man, 34, Shot Himself After I-35 Police Chase In MN: Examiner

ST. PAUL, MN — The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the Wisconsin man who died on Feb. 21 after a police chase in Minnesota's Pine County.

Kyle Bazant, 34, of Bayfield died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head, the medical examiner ruled.

Carl Hawkinson, a Pine County deputy, fired "less-than-lethal" beanbag rounds using a "less-lethal" shotgun, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Hawkinson has 11 years of law enforcement experience, the BCA said.

The Pine County Sheriff’s Office asked the BCA to investigate the shooting.

A Minnesota State Patrol trooper saw a vehicle driven by Bazant speeding north on Interstate 35 just after 2:30 p.m. on Feb. 21, according to the BCA.

The trooper tried to pull the vehicle over but was unsuccessful, the BCA said. Stop sticks and a pit maneuver were also tried but failed.

About 20 minutes into the police chase, Bazant’s vehicle went off the road and into a ditch a few miles south of Sandstone.

Body camera video shows Hawkinson firing a beanbag round through the back windshield, then another round through the passenger window, the BCA said.

When there was no response from Bazant — about 40 minutes into the pursuit — law enforcement officers approached the vehicle and saw he was dead, according to the BCA's report.

Investigators found a handgun inside Bazant’s car, the BCA said.

BCA agents are reviewing body camera footage from both the troopers and deputies who were on the scene.