Hours-long Standoff With Shots Fired at Police Ends with Suspect Deceased
WEST ST PAUL, MINNESOTA—A tense armed standoff in a quiet West St. Paul neighborhood ended Wednesday evening when a wanted man was fatally shot by law enforcement after exchanging gunfire with officers for several hours.
According to a press release from the West St Paul Police Department, the incident began just after 11 a.m., Saint Paul Police officers located a motorcycle linked to an adult male wanted on multiple felony warrants. The motorcycle was parked outside a residence on the 1200 block of Ottawa Avenue in West St. Paul. Officers quickly surrounded the home, evacuated occupants, and confirmed with individuals inside that the suspect was present.
By 1:20 p.m., authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for the area. Nearby St. Joseph’s School was placed on lockdown out of an abundance of caution.
The red marker shows the location of the hours-long standoff.
Escalation and SWAT Deployment
According to the press release from the West St Paul Police Department, at approximately 2:15 p.m., the South Metro SWAT team assumed command of the scene after the suspect law enforcement was looking for barricaded themselves in the home. Over the next several hours, the suspect repeatedly fired shots at law enforcement, striking armored SWAT vehicles and even an officer’s ballistic shield.
SWAT officers deployed a range of tactical tools, including drones, robotics, and a cellphone thrown into the home in hopes of establishing communication. Officers also used chemical irritants to try to force the suspect to surrender. Despite these measures, the suspect continued to fire through windows at officers outside.
The homeowner told our reporters that the suspect was a friend and did not live at the residence. The owner said they were unaware the man had weapons, except possibly a handgun. Both of the homeowner’s dogs were safely removed from the property during the incident, one by the owner and the other with the assistance of law enforcement.
Expanded Perimeter and Emergency Alerts
Around 4:45 p.m., SWAT used an armored Bobcat tactical vehicle to try to gain access to the side of the house. The homeowner said he saw the suspect firing from inside at the officer operating the vehicle. At the same time, nearby residents and our reporters on scene reported hearing bullets striking near the northern end of the police perimeter at Ottawa Avenue and Moreland Avenue West.
Police then expanded the perimeter, and the West St. Paul Police Department issued an emergency alert at 4:50 p.m. advising residents to shelter in the lowest part of their homes and stay away from windows.
Deadly Exchange of Gunfire
At approximately 6:40 p.m., authorities say the suspect aimed a long gun at officers. A South Metro SWAT officer returned fire, striking the man. Officers immediately rendered medical aid before transporting him to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The standoff drew a heavy law enforcement presence from across the region. Agencies observed at the scene included South St. Paul, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, Rosemount, Farmington, and Eagan Police Departments, the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office, and the Rice County Sheriff’s Office.
Ongoing Investigation
According to the West St Paul Police Department, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting. No further details about the suspect or the officers involved have been released. Officials say investigators will remain on scene throughout the night and additional updates will come from the BCA.
Authorities confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the public.
The photos below were captured and shared with us by photographer Holden Smith.
Written by: Will Wight and Markie Kelly
