ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the man shot by law enforcement during an active shooter incident on Saturday in Minneapolis. Nathan Mellstrom Matz, age 40, of Minneapolis remains hospitalized in stable condition at HCMC. He is expected to survive.

The Minneapolis police officer who fired his weapon has also been identified. Minneapolis Police Sergeant Ben Bauer discharged his rifle, striking Matz. Bauer has been in law enforcement for 12 years. He remains on standard critical incident leave.

According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, Minneapolis police officers went to 4052 Minnehaha Avenue shortly before 10 p.m. on Sept. 6 in response to reports of a man walking outside with a shotgun. Officers did not locate anyone meeting that description at the time.

Shortly before 4:30 a.m. on Sept. 7, officers returned to the same address in response to 911 calls about an active shooter who was firing a rifle both inside and outside of the apartment building at that address.

Officers spotted the subject, now identified as Matz, in a stairwell with an AK-47 rifle in his hands.

At one point, Sgt. Bauer, discharged his rifle once, striking Matz. Officers moved Matz from the building and provided medical aid until paramedics transported him to the hospital. No one else was injured during the incident.

BCA personnel processed the scene and identified gunshot damage within the apartment building and to homes and vehicles outside of the building. Investigators believe these were from rounds fired by Matz. A handgun was also located in the stairwell near where Matz was located.

The BCA investigation is in its early stages. Once the investigation is complete the BCA will provide its findings without recommendation to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for review.

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