SHOREVIEW, MN – Deputies in this Minneapolis suburb battled a deranged, intoxicated man who begged them to shoot him, but instead employed tasers and bean bags.
On February 23, 2017 a call went out about a potential active shooter in the city of Shoreview. Deputies Casey and Hughes were the first to respond and observed a male party in his driveway. When they exited their vehicles, the male yelled, “it’s about time you showed up” and started walking towards the deputies, wielding a large kitchen style knife in a threatening manner. Numerous commands were made by the deputies to drop the weapon, but the male refused to comply and continued to advance on the deputies. Deputy Hughes advised the subject that he would be tazed, if he did not put the knife down. The male did not comply and was raising the knife in his hand telling the deputies to “just shoot me.” Deputy Hughes deployed his tazer which had no effect on the male. Deputy/Crisis Negotiator Hedstrom was on scene and tried to negotiate with the male. He kept telling her “just shoot me.” At this time, Deputy Schwab and Officer Tauzell from the Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team arrived on scene. A second deployment of a tazer was attempted by Deputy Schwab. This also had no effect on the male, who pulled the prongs out himself. It was at this time that Deputy Schwab was instructed to deploy less lethal rounds. One bean bag round was deployed, which had no effect. The male continued to hold the knife and threaten the deputies and officer. Additional rounds were then administered, which finally caused the male to drop the weapon. He was secured by the deputies and taken into custody. It was determined that the male was extremely intoxicated and suffered from mental illness.
These deputies and officer did an outstanding job working with this emotionally disturbed person. Through their training and experience, they were able to turn a possible deadly force situation into a successful resolution, which allowed the male to go to the hospital for medical evaluation. At no point did the deputies or officer hesitate to put their own lives at risk and only focused on the well-being of this man. They are being honored for their integrity and bravery.
