ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the man who was shot during a use-of-force incident involving multiple law enforcement agencies on June 11 in Brooklyn Center.

The man has been identified as Damon Andreas Constans Jr., 23, of Brooklyn Center. Constans remains hospitalized in stable condition at a local hospital.

The BCA has also identified the five officers who used force during the incident.

• Brooklyn Center Police Officer Austin Burt discharged his firearm. Burt has 1 ½ years of law enforcement experience. The police department has placed him on critical incident leave.
• Brooklyn Center Police Officer Tarik Kekic discharged his firearm. Kekic has six years of law enforcement experience. The police department has placed him on critical incident leave.
• Brooklyn Park Police Sgt. Juel Lund fired a 40mm less-lethal launcher. Lund has 20 years of law enforcement experience.
• Brooklyn Center Police Officer Derek Wodnick fired a 40mm less-lethal launcher. Wodnick has 1 ½ years of law enforcement experience. The police department has place him on critical incident leave.
• Crystal Police Officer Isaiah Gorman deployed PepperBall rounds. Gorman has three years of law enforcement experience.

According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, officers were dispatched at approximately 10:15 p.m. on June 11 to a residence on the 3200 block of 63rd Avenue North in Brooklyn Center for a reported domestic incident. The initial call came from a female who requested help removing an adult male, later identified as Constans, from the home. Constans also called 911 and reported that his mother was holding a knife.

During the investigation, Constans' mother was arrested on suspicion of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. After the arrest, Constans went back inside the residence and armed himself with a chain saw. 

Officers negotiated with Constans for an extended period. During an attempt to arrest him, officers used PepperBall and 40mm less-lethal options. At one point, Constans exited the residence, started the chainsaw and advanced toward officers. Two officers discharged their firearms, striking Constans. Officers provided immediate medical aid, and Constans was transported by ambulance to the hospital.

BCA crime scene personnel recovered a chainsaw and spent shell casings at the scene. All involved officers were wearing body cameras during the incident. BCA agents are reviewing body camera footage as part of the active investigation.

The Brooklyn Center Police Department requested that the BCA conduct the investigation. When the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without recommendation to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office for review.