EDEN VALLEY — Authorities have released the name and cause of death of a man killed in a shootout with a police officer in Meeker County early Saturday morning.
The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office says just before 2:30 a.m. an Eden Valley police officer Evan Borscheid attempted to stop traffic for a vehicle that was traveling too fast and had a headlight violation, but the driver fled west on Highway 55. Authorities say the officer chased the driver and that the vehicle entered the ditch during the chase.
The sheriff’s office says the driver, identified as 34 Stephane Poissant de Brainerd, then exited the vehicle and exchanged gunfire with the officer. According to the authorities, during the exchange, a shot from Borscheid grazed Poissant’s knee.
The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office said Poissant died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. Medical aid was administered, but he died at the scene. A handgun was recovered from the scene and the incident was recorded by a squad camera.
Agent Borscheid has been in law enforcement for five years. He was not injured in the incident. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension continues to investigate the use of force.
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