SUSPECT IDENTIFIED IN BELTRAMI COUNTY STANDOFF

ST. PAUL — The Ramsey County Medical Examiner today identified a man who died late Wednesday following a standoff with police at a residence in rural Beltrami County. Miquell David Deppa, 34, of 9203 Spencer Rd NW in Liberty Township, died of blood loss due to a gunshot wound.

The Beltrami County Sheriff's Office received a 911 call Wednesday afternoon from the home reporting that Deppa was under mental duress, was armed with a loaded rifle and was making threats about killing himself or law enforcement.

According to the preliminary investigation, deputies responding to the home heard gunshots and witnessed Deppa run into the residence armed with a rifle. Two females who were inside the home fled to safety, then a standoff ensued during which Deppa threatened to shoot the officers and fired several shots from the residence toward the officers. Deppa emerged from the residence around 8:15 p.m. armed with a rifle. A Beltrami County SWAT Team sniper fired one round, injuring Deppa, who then crawled back into the residence. Several minutes later, Deppa broke out a window and emerged from the home. Officers immediately took him into custody and emergency medical personnel began treating his injuries.

Deppa was taken by AirMed helicopter to Sanford Fargo Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota where he was pronounced dead. No officers were injured during the incident.

The BCA is investigating the shooting with assistance from the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings to the Beltrami County Attorney's Office for review.

Other responding agencies include the Minnesota State Patrol, the DNR, the US Border Patrol, Headwaters SWAT Team, Bemidji Police Department, Paul Bunyan Task Force and the Red Lake Tribal Police Department.

Beltrami County Officer Involved in Shooting

ST. PAUL — A Beltrami County man has died following a standoff with police at a residence in rural Beltrami County. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating the incident at the request of the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office.

The Sheriff's Office received a 911 call at 4:38 p.m. on Wednesday, June 26, from a home on the 9200 block of Spencer Road in Liberty Township reporting that a male who lived there was under mental duress, was armed with a loaded rifle and was making threats about killing himself or law enforcement.

According to the preliminary investigation, deputies approaching the scene on foot reported hearing gunshots and witnessed a male armed with a rifle run into the residence. The Headwaters SWAT Team, the Minnesota State Patrol and the Minnesota DNR responded to assist. Law enforcement provided cover as two females who were inside the home fled to safety. A standoff ensued during which the individual threatened to shoot the officers and fired several shots from the residence toward the officers. The individual emerged from the residence around 8:15 p.m. armed with a rifle which he pointed in the officers' direction. A Beltrami County SWAT Team sniper fired one round, injuring the individual, who then crawled back into the residence. Several minutes later, the individual broke out a window and emerged from the home. Officers immediately took him into custody and emergency medical personnel began treating his injuries.

He was taken by Sanford AirMed helicopter to Sanford Fargo Medical Center in Fargo, North Dakota where he was pronounced dead. He was transported today to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office. An autopsy and formal identification are scheduled for tomorrow. No officers were injured during the incident.

SWAT Team member and Beltrami County Sheriff's Deputy Jeff Roberts was the only officer to fire his weapon. Deputy Roberts has been with the sheriff's office for 8 years. He is on standard administrative leave.

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents are conducting interviews with responding law enforcement officers and witnesses. BCA crime scene personnel are gathering information at the scene. Once its investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings to the Beltrami County Attorney's Office for review.

The BCA is investigating the shooting with assistance from the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office. Other responding agencies include the Minnesota State Patrol, the DNR, the US Border Patrol, Headwaters SWAT Team, Bemidji Police Department, Paul Bunyan Task Force and the Red Lake Tribal Police Department.

Robbery and Assault Suspect Arrested June 8, 2013

On June 8th, 2013 at approximately 8:30 pm Bemidji Police Officers responded to a report of an assault that occurred near the Mississippi river trail bridge.  The victims reported that they were walking south on the paved trail.  An unknown male stood on the bridge holding his arms out, blocking the victims passage. The suspect stated to the victims that they needed to pay "the street tax". When the victims refused, one was struck in the face and the other was grabbed as they fled the area for help.

Upon investigation, Bemidji Police Officers located and arrested the suspect, Aaron John Jones, age 35, of Cass Lake for robbery.