ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the man involved in the use-of-force incident outside of Frazee on July 9 as Todd Ole Burris, 36, of Bemidji.

The BCA has also identified the two officers who used force during this incident:

• Becker County Sheriff’s Office Lt. Luke Sweere discharged his firearm. He has 26 years of law enforcement experience. The Becker County Sheriff’s Office has placed him on critical incident leave.
• Detroit Lakes Police Officer Philip Vaughn discharged his firearm. He has 16 years of law enforcement experience. The Detroit Lakes Police Department has placed him on critical incident leave.

According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, Becker County sheriff’s deputies were dispatched just after 5:30 p.m. to a domestic assault in rural Detroit Lakes on the 20000 block of Becker County Highway 21. A woman reported that Burris had assaulted her, taken her handgun and slashed her vehicle’s tires before leaving in his car.

Lt. Sweere located Burris driving in Detroit Lakes and conducted a traffic stop. Burris initially pulled over and was speaking with Lt. Sweere when he suddenly fled. Lt. Sweere and Officer Vaughn pursued Burris into Otter Tail County, where Burris pulled into a rest stop off Highway 10 in Frazee.

Burris stopped, partially exited his vehicle and pointed a handgun at Lt. Sweere. An exchange of gunfire took place between Burris and both Lt. Sweere and Officer Vaughn. Burris sustained gunshot injuries to both of his legs. Officers rendered medical aid until an ambulance arrived and transported him to a hospital in Fargo, N.D., where he remains hospitalized. When released, Burris is expected to be transferred to the Otter Tail County Jail to face charges filed by the Otter Tail County Attorney’s Office. No law enforcement personnel were injured. 

BCA crime scene personnel recovered a handgun and spent shell casings at the scene. The officers were wearing body cameras, and BCA agents are reviewing that footage as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Otter Tail County Sheriff’s Office requested the BCA to investigate the officers’ use of force. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without recommendation to the Otter Tail County Attorney’s Office for review.