By: Alex Evans
NORMANNA TOWNSHIP, Minn. – Sheriffs say the suspect in Tuesday’s fire and shooting lit on a fire a “distraction” or “barricade” along the only access road to the scene.
The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has confirmed that a burnt-out trailer found on Heritage Road near the scene of Tuesday’s fire and shooting in Normanna Township was set on fire by the suspect. Division Commander Wade Rasch called it a “distraction” or “barricade” that the suspect put along the only road law enforcement had to access the scene.
The suspect reportedly attempted to set his neighbors’ homes on fire and then shoot at first responders who arrived. The suspect was shot by five deputies and pronounced deceased at the scene.
According to a press release from the sheriff’s office, they received a call around 9:20 a.m. from a neighbor who said the suspect “sprayed a family member with gasoline and set their home on fire.”
Another neighbor called shortly after the first report and said that the suspect was armed with a rifle. The suspect was identified by dispatch as someone who lived next door.
While the suspect attempted to set a second home on fire, the suspect’s own home was “engulfed in flames,” according to the statement.
A volunteer firefighter for Normanna Township is credited with extinguishing the fires started at the two neighbors’ homes.
Just 7 minutes after the initial 911 call, the firefighter heard what he believed were shots being fired as he was leaving the property. A neighbor also confirmed hearing the shots, and the firefighter took cover because he “believed he was shot at.”
Shots were also reportedly fired at a Duluth Township police officer when he arrived at the scene at 9:36 a.m.; however, the officer did not return fire.
At 9:52 a.m., according to the statement, five deputies arrived and approached the scene. The deputies “encountered the suspect,” which they said led “to a use of force incident, causing all five deputies to discharge their weapons, striking the suspect.” Despite lifesaving measures attempted by deputies, the suspect was pronounced deceased at the scene. No other injuries were reported as a result of the fires or shooting.
All five officers were wearing body cameras, according to the sheriff’s office, and have been placed on leave pending a review by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The sheriff’s office reported finding “many homemade devices…on and near the scene. At this point, they appear to have been designed to fire projectiles at first responders as they approached by road.”
The Twin Ports Report 