BCA Names Subject and Officer Involved in Granite Falls Incident
April 14, 2023
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the subject and officers involved in a police use-of-force incident April 10 in Granite Falls. William Schindler, 26, of Granite Falls was not injured when officers served a warrant for his arrest. The BCA is actively investigating this incident.
- Willmar Police Officer Jason Hay fired his department handgun. He has 14 years of law enforcement experience and is on standard administrative leave.
- A Swift County deputy fired his department handgun during the incident. The Swift County Sheriff informed the BCA that the deputy works in an undercover capacity. The BCA is prohibited from identifying the deputy in accordance with Minnesota Statute 13.82, subdivision 17 (a).
Based on the initial investigation, just after 4 p.m. on April 10, members of the CEE-VI (Cooperative Enforcement Effort) Drug Task Force went to a Granite Falls home to serve a felony warrant for Schindler's arrest on drug and weapons charges. A person in the home opened the door for the officers, who announced who they were and why they were there. Once they entered the home, the officers were met with gunfire. Hay and the Swift County deputy returned fire. Hay was struck by a bullet as the officers retreated from the home. No one else was injured in the exchange of gunfire. Hay went to the hospital where he was treated and released. After a standoff, Schindler surrendered and was arrested without incident. He was taken to the Yellow Medicine County Jail to await charges in connection to this incident.
Crime scene personnel recovered evidence from inside the home, including multiple firearms and cartridge casings. Portions of the incident were captured on squad and body-worn cameras. BCA agents are reviewing that footage as part of the ongoing investigation.
The Granite Falls 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 Yellow Medicine County Attorney's Office for review.
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bonney.bowman@state.mn.us