Skip to main content

BCA identifies man, woman and officers involved in Freeborn County incident

June 13, 2025

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the man as well as the woman who died during a June 10 incident in rural Albert Lea along with the law enforcement officers who used force.

According to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office, Nathaniel Dewitt Bailey, 44, of Albert Lea, died of gunshot wounds. The medical examiner also identified Brenda Kay Krause, 66, of Albert Lea, as the adult female victim found deceased at the residence. Her cause of death was determined to be gunshot wounds and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

The following law enforcement officers discharged their firearms during the incident. Their respective agencies placed them all on critical incident leave:

  • Mower County Sgt. Katlynne Fisher has eight years of law enforcement experience.
  • Steele County Deputy Sean Robbins has 11 years of law enforcement experience.
  • Freeborn County Deputy Darik Weigel has eight years of law enforcement experience.
  • Albert Lea Police Detective Sy Vanthavong has 24 years of law enforcement experience.
  • Faribault County Sheriff’s Office Deputy (name withheld due to undercover status, per Minnesota Statute 13.82, Subd. 17(a)).

According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, officers were dispatched at approximately 7 p.m. on June 10 to a residence on the 21000 block of 880th Avenue in rural Albert Lea following a report that a man had texted a woman stating he had just killed his mother.

Law enforcement identified the man as Nathaniel Bailey and were advised he had fled the residence in a vehicle. Officers located the vehicle near Austin in Mower County and attempted a traffic stop. Bailey fled, leading officers back to the original residence.

When he arrived at the residence, Bailey exited the vehicle armed with a handgun. Officers discharged their weapons, striking him. Medical aid was rendered at the scene, but Bailey was pronounced deceased. 

During a subsequent search of the property, officers located the body of Krause.

BCA crime scene personnel recovered a handgun and spent cartridge casings at the scene. Portions of the incident were recorded by body-worn cameras. 

The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office requested the BCA to investigate. This investigation is ongoing. When complete, the BCA will present its findings without recommendation on charges to the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office for review.

No further information is available at this time.

Graphic for news releases, has BCA logo and text reads: "News release: Use-of-force incident"

Mike Ernster 

Michael.Ernster@state.mn.us

651-509-5644

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
News releases
Case updates