Update - Oct. 12, 2020
The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office has identified the man who died during an officer use of deadly force incident on Friday, October 9, 2020, in Pine County. According to the preliminary autopsy, Anthony Michael Legato, 25, of Oak Park Heights, died of a gunshot wound.
In addition, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the deputy who discharged his firearm during the incident. Deputy Joshua Pepin has been with the Pine County Sheriff’s Office for five years. He is on standard administrative leave.
While fleeing law enforcement, Mr. Legato entered Interstate 35 near Mora driving south in the northbound lane. Shortly thereafter he pulled to the side of the highway and exited his vehicle.
Deputy Pepin was driving northbound on I-35 and pulled over immediately south of Mr. Legato’s vehicle. As Deputy Pepin exited his squad, Mr. Legato then reentered his vehicle and began to pull out into oncoming traffic. At one point the deputy fired his weapon.
Portions of the incident were captured on body cameras and squad cameras.
The BCA investigation is ongoing. When the investigation is complete, the BCA will provide its findings without recommendation to the Pine County Attorney’s Office for review.
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Update -- Oct. 9, 2020
ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating an officer involved shooting incident that happened just after 2 p.m. Friday in Pine County.
The incident happened in the northbound lanes of Interstate 35 near mile marker 180 and the Mora exit.
Pine County sheriff’s deputies responded to a 911 call on Friday around 1:45 p.m. from the victim of an alleged domestic incident at the Grand Casino Hinckley. Deputies spotted the suspect’s vehicle while en route to the casino and a pursuit began.
The suspect entered I-35 driving south in the northbound lane, and then stopped. During an encounter that followed, one of the deputies fired their weapon, striking the suspect. The suspect’s vehicle rolled forward, crashing into an oncoming vehicle and then came to a stop in the median.
Deputies provided immediate medical assistance, but EMTs pronounced the suspect deceased at the scene. The suspect was taken to the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office for identification and autopsy.
The driver of the other vehicle was not seriously injured. No officers were injured during the incident. The victim of the alleged domestic incident was not injured.
The BCA will evaluate both body camera and squad camera footage of the incident.
The Minnesota State Patrol and a DNR conservation officer assisted at the scene.
The BCA is in the very early stages of its investigation and will release additional information once initial interviews with incident participants and witnesses are complete.
When the investigation is complete, the BCA will provide its findings without recommendation to the Pine County Attorney’s Office for review.
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ST. PAUL — The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating an officer involved shooting incident that happened today in Pine County following a domestic incident and pursuit. The subject is deceased. No officers were injured in the incident. The officer involved shooting incident occurred on I-35 near mile marker 180 near the Mora exit.
A portion of the interstate is closed. Check 511mn.org for road closure and detour information.
Additional details will be forthcoming.
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