Suspect Dead in Officer-Involved Shooting in Chisholm
A man wanted for a felony level crime was fatally shot in what the BCA says is an officer-involved shooting in Chisholm.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that officers from multiple departments had been searching for a “known suspect” since around 4:45 a.m. Wednesday.
The vehicle the suspect was believed to be driving was found unoccupied around 7:15 a.m. in Chisholm, a town about 75 miles northwest of Duluth.
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Authorities said “contact was made” with the suspect on the 200 block of Central Ave. S. and the man was shot. A LifeLink medical helicopter was dispatched to transport the man to the hospital, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. EMS radio dispatches indicated the suspect was in his upper 30s.
An officer aired to dispatch that shots had been fired just before 7:45 a.m. and the suspect was down.
Investigation of the shooting has been turned over to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is standard practice for shootings or use of force deaths in the state that involve law enforcement officers.
UPDATE - Friday, April 22
The suspect fatally shot has been identified as Michael David Johnson, 38, of Chisholm. He died of multiple gunshot wounds after he allegedly exited a residence with knives in his hands.
Johnson was being sought by law enforcement on multiple felony charges out of Morrison County. At about 7:15 a.m., a St. Louis County sheriff’s deputy located Johnson’s car outside his home at 201 Central Avenue South in Chisholm, the BCA has confirmed.
About half an hour later, law enforcement from several departments responded and attempted to take him into custody. At one point, Johnson came out of the house with knives in his hands, the BCA said. Officers fired less lethal rounds first, then lethal rounds, striking Johnson. He died at the scene and no law enforcement officers were hurt.
BCA crime scene personnel recovered two knives near Johnson’s body, the agency said. The incident was captured on body-worn cameras and squad video cameras, recordings which may be released to the public in the future.
Three officers fired their weapons during the incident. St. Louis County Sheriff’s Deputy Cody Dillinger and Virginia Officer Nick Grivna fired their handguns and Deputy Gavin Nichols fired non-lethal foam impact rounds.
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