Minnesota Police Shoot Man with Knife After Dollar General Threat

WALKER,MN – A police officer shot a man armed with a knife inside a Dollar General store in Walker,Minnesota,on August 8,following a pursuit and reports of erratic behavior.The suspect, who was reportedly wearing only boxer shorts, sustained a non-life-threatening arm injury and is currently receiving medical care at a Bemidji hospital.

Incident Timeline and Details

The Walker Police Department received multiple calls around 6:30 PM regarding a man behaving disruptively on Minnesota Avenue. Witnesses reported the individual was brandishing a knife and had damaged tires on several vehicles. Officers located the suspect, initiating a foot chase that led to the dollar General store.

According to police reports, the suspect threatened to harm all employees within the store. He then allegedly sprayed an officer with bug spray and threw objects before charging at the officer with the knife,prompting the officer to discharge their firearm.

First responders instantly provided medical assistance, applying a tourniquet to the suspect’s arm before transporting him to the hospital.The officer involved has been placed on standard critical incident leave, as per departmental protocol.

Investigation Underway

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is leading the investigation into the shooting. The identities of both the officer and the suspect are being withheld pending further investigation, according to the BCA. The BCA typically releases this data within 72 hours of the incident, balancing transparency with the integrity of the ongoing inquiry.

Did You Know?

According to the National Police Foundation, approximately 40-50% of officer-involved shootings involve suspects armed with a weapon, often a knife or firearm. [National Police Foundation]