ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified a man who died during a July 15 incident in Normanna Township, along with the law enforcement officers who used force.

According to Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, Adam Clinton Wolf, 57, of Normanna Township died of gunshot wounds. 

The BCA has identified the St. Louis County deputies who discharged their firearm during the incident. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office has placed them all on critical incident leave.

• Sgt. Zachary Peterson has seven years of law enforcement experience. 
• Deputy Charles Bennett has 10 years of law enforcement experience. 
• Deputy Matt Miranda has 10 years of law enforcement experience. 
• Deputy Forest Lunemann has three years of law enforcement experience.
• Deputy Michael Pikul has seven years of law enforcement experience.

According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, St. Louis County deputies were dispatched just before 9:30 a.m. on July 15 to an arson incident on the 6200 block of Heritage Road. A male, later identified as Wolf, was reported to have started fires at his home as well as at two of his neighbors’ homes. Wolf was reported to be transporting himself around on a riding lawnmower while armed with a rifle-style weapon. 

A responding firefighter extinguished the fires at both neighbors’ homes. The firefighter reported hearing gunshots and believed he was being shot at. A responding officer from Duluth Township also reported being shot at when they arrived at the location.

Deputies from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s office arrived and began searching the area for Wolf. They located Wolf and he shot at them. An exchange of gunfire occurred and Wolf was shot. Medical aid was rendered to Wolf, but he was pronounced deceased.

BCA crime scene personnel recovered a firearm similar to a shotgun, spent cartridge casings as well as improvised shotgun-type devices along the roadway. Deputies involved in this incident were wearing body cameras. BCA agents will review this video as part of their investigation. 

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office requested the BCA to investigate. This investigation is currently ongoing, but when complete, the BCA will present its findings without recommendation to the St Louis County Attorney’s Office for review.