UPDATE 12/4/2020
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the trooper who discharged his firearm during an officer involved shooting incident on November 29 in Albert Lea. Trooper Steven Quern has been with the Minnesota State Patrol for fifteen years.
The Albert Lea police officer injured during the incident also has been identified. Officer Kody Needham has been in law enforcement for four years. He is on medical leave.
All residents who were temporarily displaced to enable investigators to collect evidence have been allowed to return home.
The BCA investigation of the incident is ongoing. When the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without recommendation to the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office for review.
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UPDATE 12/1/2020
The suspect in Sunday’s active shooter incident in Albert Lea has been charged. Devin Matthew Weiland, 21, of Albert Lea, was charged today in Freeborn County District Court with the following:
- Three counts of attempted first degree murder
- Three counts of second degree assault with a dangerous weapon
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Albert Lea Police Department are investigating the incident. Weiland is currently in the Freeborn County Jail.
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ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating an officer involved shooting that occurred during an active shooter incident early Sunday morning at the Shady Oaks apartment building at 800 S. 4th Avenue in Albert Lea.
The Albert Lea Police Department released initial information about the active shooter incident on Sunday morning. Several people sustained gunshot injuries during the incident.
- The officer struck by gunfire in the vest was treated at Mayo Clinic Health System (Albert Lea) and released.
- A 52-year-old man and a 38-year-old man, both from Albert Lea, were taken by air ambulance to Mayo Clinic Hospital – St. Mary’s Campus in Rochester for treatment for non-life threatening gunshot injuries.
The Albert Lea Police Department identified the shooter as Devin Matthew Weiland, 21, of Albert Lea. At one point during the active shooter incident, a Minnesota State Patrol trooper discharged their firearm. Mr. Weiland sustained shrapnel injuries but it is unknown at this time whether he was shot. Mr. Weiland then surrendered to law enforcement and was taken to Mayo Clinic Hospital – St. Mary’s Campus where he is being treated for non-life threatening injuries.
Most apartment building residents who were evacuated so investigators could process the crime scene already have been allowed to return to their homes. The remaining residents are being provided hotel accommodations for tonight.
The Minnesota State Patrol trooper who discharged their firearm is on standard administrative leave.
The BCA will release any additional information once initial interviews are complete. When the investigation is complete, the BCA will provide its findings without recommendation to the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office for review.
The BCA Force Investigations Unit is investigating the officer involved shooting. The BCA Homicide Unit is investigating the active shooter incident along with the Albert Lea Police Department.
Agencies involved in the response to the active shooter situation included the South Central Drug Investigation Unit; River Valley Tactical Team; Austin/Mower Special Incident Response Team; Minnesota State Patrol Special Response Team; Washington County SWAT Team; the Freeborn, Dodge, Mower, Steele and Waseca County sheriff’s offices; the Albert Lea, Waseca, Owatonna and Minneapolis police departments; Albert Lea Fire Rescue; Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service; Mayo Clinic Health System (Albert Lea); Freeborn, Mower, Winona and Dodge County emergency management agencies; and Freeborn County Public Health.
Death investigation underway related to remains located during investigation
The Albert Lea Police Department is conducting a separate investigation into the circumstances surrounding the death of a person who was located deceased in the Shady Oaks complex while a tactical team was evacuating the building. The death is not related to the active shooter incident or the officer involved shooting. The remains have been taken to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and to determine the cause and manner of death. More information on this investigation will be provided by the Albert Lea Police Department once the medical examiner reports their findings.
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