Trooper Fires Shots Following Police Pursuit, Suspect Arrested

DULUTH, Minn. – Shots were fired just after midnight Tuesday morning in Gary New Duluth, following a police pursuit. An officer tried to stop a vehicle speeding at 71st West and Grand Avenue, when it sped away. The Minnesota State Patrol, St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, and Duluth Police were all involved in the chase that began in Morgan Park and ended near a residential garage on Beck’s Road. Authorities said the male suspect rammed his pick-up truck into two squad cars while trying to flee the scene. Then a Minnesota State trooper fired shots at the vehicle, according to authorities. No one was injured in the incident. The commotion caused quite the ruckus for area neighbors. “It was a normal morning. I ate breakfast and then got a call from the neighbor across the street where incident happened. She had heard all the police cars and the shots fired,” said Glen Sorenson, a Duluth resident. The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension continues to investigate the incident. The trooper who fired shots is on paid administrative leave. The suspect is in the St. Louis County Jail booked on suspicion of driving under the influence, drugs, assault, and fleeing police.