ST. PAUL -- The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified two officers who discharged their weapons during the lengthy standoff in St. Michael on June 21 and June 22.

Wright County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Robert Gongol fired his rifle. He has been with the office for 15 years.

A St. Cloud Police Officer fired his rifle. The agency has notified the BCA that their officer works in an undercover capacity. The BCA is prohibited from releasing the identities of undercover officers under Stat. 13.82, subd. 17 (a).

The first shooting happened at about 11:55 p.m. on Tuesday, June 21. During the standoff at his home, Brandon Gardas, 39, fired at a SWAT vehicle from the Wright County Sheriff’s Office. Sgt. Gongol returned fire. Gardas was not struck by gunfire in this incident.
 

The second shooting occurred at about 8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, June 22. Officers entered the home and attempted to take Gardas into custody. At one point, the St. Cloud Police Officer discharged his firearm, striking Gardas in the chest.
 

Gardas was released from the hospital on June 24 and booked into the Wright County Jail. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office requested that the BCA investigate the incident. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without recommendation to the Wright County Attorney’s Office for review.

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Bonney Bowman  6517931128
bonney.bowman@state.mn.us