VIDEO: Suspect Critically Injured After Pursuit, Crash and Standoff with Police in Forest Lake
Police at the scene of an officer-involved shooting in Forest Lake on Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. PHOTO BY MN CRIME
A 47-year-old male suspect was critically injured after an alleged violation of an order for protection, a vehicle chase with police and ensuing standoff inside a vehicle in Forest Lake on Sunday afternoon.
According to initial dispatch audio reviewed by MN CRIME, the incident started shortly after 1:30 p.m. for a report of a violation of an order for protection, with a male on site armed with a rifle, reportedly an AR-15.
Forest Lake Police Captain Greg Weiss giving a media briefing after an officer-involved shooting left a suspect critically injured Sunday, Nov. 28, 2021. MN CRIME PHOTO
Officers first on scene reported that they had the suspect at gunpoint but he fled in a vehicle. After a pursuit and PIT maneuver, the vehicle was disabled near North Shore Trl. & Greenway Ave., with the suspect still armed with the rifle inside.
Further information on the initial order for protection is not yet available, but he reportedly made threats to the victim and to officers prior to the standoff.
At some point during the incident, shots were fired by Forest Lake officers, Captain Greg Weiss told MN CRIME, but he would not take questions at a media conference shortly before 5 p.m. It is still unclear if the suspect was struck by officers’ gunfire, if more than one officer discharged their weapon or if the suspect’s injuries were self-inflicted.
A SWAT team was called out and officers used a drone as they reported movement from inside the vehicle after it was disabled. They eventually approached using a bunker shield and secured the suspect’s firearm, provided medical attention and cleared in paramedics.
Initial dispatch audio said the suspect had a gunshot wound to the head and the chest. A medical helicopter was dispatched and transported him to a hospital, but as of Sunday evening a further update on his condition was not available.
The identity of the suspect has also not yet been released.
