BCA Identifies Man Killed by Duluth Police During Incident
March 1, 2023
ST. PAUL – The Midwest Medical Examiner's Officer has identified the man who died during an officer use-of-force incident that happened Feb. 24 in Duluth. The medical examiner determined that Zachary Shogren, 34, of Duluth died of multiple gunshot wounds.
As part of its active investigation, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified three Duluth police officers who used force during this incident. According to the Duluth Police Department, two of the three officers are members of the Lake Superior Violent Offender Task Force and work in an undercover capacity. In accordance with Minnesota Statute 13.82, subdivision 17 (a) the department prohibited the BCA from releasing the undercover officers' identities.
- One officer fired their department handgun.
- One officer fired 40 millimeter less-lethal rounds.
- Sgt. Jared Blomdahl deployed his Taser. He has 24 years of law enforcement experience.
Based on the BCA's initial investigation, Duluth police officers went to Shogren's home on the 1500 block of East Third Street to arrest him for felony threats of violence. They encountered Shogren in the alley behind his home armed with a knife. On body camera video, officers can be heard ordering Shogren to drop the knife as he moved toward them. Blomdahl deployed his Taser and the second officer fired less-lethal rounds, which were ineffective. Shogren can be seen on video running toward the officers, which is when the third officer shot him. Officers performed life-saving care until Shogren could be taken to the hospital where he later died.
BCA crime scene personnel recovered a knife at the scene. The officers involved were wearing body cameras that captured portions of the incident. BCA agents are reviewing the video as part of the ongoing investigation. It will be available to the public once the case is closed and fully adjudicated.
The Duluth Police Department asked the BCA to investigate this incident. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without a charging recommendation to the St. Louis County Attorney's Office for review.
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bonney.bowman@state.mn.us