​​ST. PAUL – The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man who died while interacting with police officers July 5 in Oakdale. According to the medical examiner, Keith Lavance Lewis, 40, of Minneapolis died from a gunshot wound to the head. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is actively investigating this incident.

The BCA has identified the Woodbury police officer who fired pepper ball rounds at Lewis’s vehicle.

• Woodbury officer Alec Gulbranson fired a pepper ball launcher. He has two-and-a-half years of law enforcement experience.

According to the preliminary investigation, Oakdale police officers approached a vehicle parked near the 1200 block of Glenbrook Avenue at approximately 4:30 a.m. They found Lewis alone in the car, asleep. When they woke him up, Lewis pulled out a handgun. The officers saw the gun and started backing away to find cover behind their squad cars. While they were retreating, they heard a gunshot. The officers did not realize Lewis was dead. They called for backup and officers from nearby departments responded, including the Woodbury Police Department and the Washington County Sheriff’s Office. Still not realizing Lewis was dead, they tried to get him to surrender. Officer Gulbranson fired pepper balls at the car as part of that effort. Once they confirmed Lewis had died, officers secured the scene for investigators and crime scene personnel.

BCA crime scene personnel recovered .40 caliber pistol at the scene. The officers were all wearing body cameras during this incident. BCA agents are reviewing all available video as part of the active investigation. 

The Oakdale Police Department asked the BCA to investigate this incident. Once the investigation is complete, t​he BCA will present its findings without a charging recommendation to the Washington County Attorney’s Office for review.