​ST. PAUL – The Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is actively investigating a use-of-force incident in which five law enforcement officers were shot. Two officers returned fire during the initial incident on Oct. 12 in rural Benton County and a third fired a less-lethal round.

The BCA has identified the three law enforcement officers who used force during this incident. One is a Sherburne County sheriff's deputy on the Sherburne County Drug Task Force and works in an undercover capacity. The BCA is not releasing the deputy's name in accordance with Minnesota Statute 13.82, subdivision 17 (a). He fired his rifle.

• Benton County Deputy Ron Thomas fired his pistol. He has eight years of law enforcement experience.
• Sherburne County Patrol Sgt. Austin Turner fired the less-lethal round. He has eight years of law enforcement experience.
• All three are on standard administrative leave.

According to the preliminary investigation, members of the Sherburne County Drug Task Force went to a home in Glendorado Township with a knock-and-announce narcotics search warrant which included the person of Karl Holmberg, 64. After knocking and announcing they had a warrant, the task force members entered Holmberg's home. There was an exchange of gunfire during which five task force members were shot. They left the home and called in negotiators, who after several hours convinced Holmberg to come outside. Eventually, Turner fired a single less-lethal round and a K-9 was deployed to take Holmberg into custody. He suffered minor injuries, received medical treatment and is now in custody in the Benton County jail. One of the officers shot during the incident remains hospitalized in stable condition.

BCA crime scene personnel recovered 10 firearms at the scene along with ammunition and cartridge casings. The task force members were wearing body cameras that captured portions of the incident. BCA agents are actively reviewing all available video as part of the ongoing investigation.

The Benton County Sheriff's Office asked the BCA to investigate this incident. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without a charging recommendation to the Benton County Attorney's Office for review.