Robbery suspect killed on raft in officer-involved shooting near Mankato

A foot chase near Mankato ended in a shootout in which a suspect was found dead on a raft floating on the Minnesota River.

According to a City of Mankato news release, law enforcement officers responded to a report of an armed robbery just after noon at a BP gas station at 51674 U.S. 169.

Two clerks at the gas station told KSTP the male suspect walked in carrying a rifle, used the restroom, loaded backpack with soda and beef jerky and left. He didn't threaten anyone inside, the clerks said; he just walked out without saying a word.

He then fled from the gas station and crossed the highway toward the Kiwanis Recreation Area, according to the release.

After a search, officers found the suspect on a raft on the Minnesota River. He started shooting at the officers, and the officers then returned fire.

When the suspect was taken out of the river, he was found to be dead.

The Blue Earth County Sheriff's Office issued a shelter-in-place alert around 1:45 p.m. in response to the shootout. That alert was lifted a few hours later.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident.

This is a breaking news story. KSTP is working to get more details on this story and will post updates as more information becomes available.