BCA: Officers fire guns, less-lethal rounds at man with sword in North Branch
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The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating an incident during which North Branch police officers and Chisago County sheriff’s deputies reportedly discharged their department firearms and less-lethal rounds at a man armed with a sword.
According to the BCA, just before 10 p.m. Friday, officers responded to the 6600 block of Oak Ridge Court in North Branch on reports of a suicidal man.
When they arrived, they found the man armed with a sword.
The BCA reports that at some point, officers and deputies discharged both less-lethal rounds and their department firearms, hitting the man.
The BCA reports officers performed life-saving measures until the man could be transported to the hospital for treatment.
The man is expected to survive.
The BCA reports the investigation is in the early stages. A sword was recovered at the scene. Body-worn cameras were on and captured the incident.
More information is expected to be released at a later time.
Here is a list of suicide prevention and mental health resources:
- U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
- Minnesota Department of Health’s Suicide Prevention Program
- Minnesota Department of Human Service’s adult mental health resources
- The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Minnesota
- Veterans Crisis Line at 1-800-273-8255, Press 1
- Minnesota Farm and Rural Mental Health Helpline at 833-600-2670, ext. 1
- Crisis Phone Line – In the Twin Cities metro area, call **CRISIS (**274747) from a cellphone to talk to a team of professionals who can help.
- Crisis Text Line – Text MN to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.
If you believe someone is at risk of suicide, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests you:
- Ask questions about whether the individual is having suicidal thoughts.
- Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
- Seek help from a medical or mental health professional. If it is an emergency situation, take the person to a hospital.
- Remove any objects from a person’s home that could be potentially used in a suicide.
- Do not leave the person alone, if possible, until help is available.
The U.S. National Suicide Prevention organization has also compiled a list of resources to help with coping during the COVID-19 pandemic.