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.