BCA: Man involved in shooting with Eden Valley police shot self in head

The man involved in a Saturday shooting with Eden Valley police following an attempted traffic stop and brief pursuit has been identified by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.

At about 2:20 a.m., Eden Valley police tried to initiate a traffic stop for speeding and a headlight violation on Highway 55 when 34-year-old Stephen Christ Poissant, of Brainerd, fled in his vehicle, the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office said Saturday. The officer began to pursue, and Poissant’s vehicle went into a ditch.

Meeker County said Poissant got out of his vehicle and that “at one point there was an exchange of gunfire,” according to a Saturday press release.

Sunday, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension — which took over the investigation — shared that Poissant died of a self-inflicted single gunshot wound to the head, according to the medical examiner.

The BCA also named Officer Evan Borscheid as the policeman “with whom Poissant exchanged gunfire.” Borscheid, who’s been in law enforcement for five years, discharged his firearm and grazed Poissant’s knee.

RELATED: ‘Exchange of fire’ after police chase leaves driver dead in Eden Valley

A handgun was recovered at the scene, according to Meeker County. Though Eden Valley PD does not have body cameras, the incident was recorded on squad camera video. None of the agencies involved have said if or when that video will be released.

A police use of force investigation is underway by the BCA. Once concluded, it will pass its findings along — without recommendation — to the Meeker Counter Attorney’s Office to review.