Minnesota Cop Shot In Head By Wanted Fugitive: Police

WASECA, MN — Authorities have identified a police officer and a suspect who were both shot Monday night in Waseca. Officer Arik Matson, 32, was shot in the head during the incident, according to authorities.

A husband and father of two girls, Matson is in critical but stable condition at North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale.

The suspect in the shooting, Tyler Robert Janovsky, 37, of Waseca was shot twice during the incident, police said. He is being treated at the same hospital for injuries not regarded as life-threatening.

Janovsky was a "wanted fugitive" at the time of the shooting, according to the Minnesota Department of Corrections.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating the incident at the request of the Waseca Police Department.

Shortly before 8 p.m., Waseca police received a call about a suspicious person with a flashlight in the backyard of a home in the 900 block of 4th Avenue Southeast. Four Waseca officers responded to the area, including Matson.

When police arrived, they located the person, now identified as Janovsky, at a neighboring property in the 900 block of 3rd Avenue Southeast. At one point during their encounter with him, Matson was shot, and officers shot Janovsky, police said.

Both Matson and Janovsky were taken by air ambulance to the Robbinsdale hospital, where they remained Tuesday, according to a news release.

Waseca police do not wear body cameras. The BCA will determine whether squad car cameras captured the incident.

Once the investigation is completed, the BCA will provide its findings without recommendation to the Waseca County Attorney’s Office for review.

A fundraiser for Matson and his family has been established, and so far over $26,000 has been raised.

"Megan, Audrina, and Maklynn and the entire Matson family need support during this hard time," the GoFundMe page reads.

"We have set up this fund to help the family with medical expenses and everyday needs (gas money, bills, groceries) while Arik is in the hospital. Any support and prayers are greatly appreciated."

GoFundMe is a Patch promotional partner.