BCA Investigating Officer-Involved Shooting in St. Louis County

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating an officer-involved shooting incident which happened Tuesday morning near Eveleth, Minnesota in St. Louis County. Just after midnight on Tuesday, Nov. 22, Virginia Police Department officers spotted a motorist on Highway 53 and Highway 169 that they determined had an existing warrant for a felon in possession of a firearm.

When the officers attempted to pull him over, the subject fled in his vehicle and a pursuit ensued, according to a news release. The 17-minute pursuit stretched from Virginia through Eveleth. Virginia officers were joined in the pursuit by the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, Eveleth Police Department and the Minnesota State Patrol.

According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, the subject drove off the road at Highway 101 and Admiral Road west of Eveleth. He exited his vehicle and fled into the woods on foot. At one point, a pursuing St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office deputy fired his weapon, striking the subject. The subject walked out of the woods and surrendered. A firearm was recovered at the scene, according to authorities.

The subject was taken by ambulance to Essentia Health-Virginia Hospital and was later airlifted to Essentia Health-St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.

The BCA investigation is in its early stages. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will turn its findings over to the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office for review.

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