BCA identifies Crookston man, officers involved in fatal shooting
Police tape surrounds an area in Crookston, Minnesota on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Credit: WDAY
A week after police in Crookston said officers fatally shot a man who ran at them with a hatchet, those involved have been publicly identified.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) says 35-year-old Andrew Scott Dale was shot multiple times and died at a hospital.
RELATED: Crookston police: Man shot, killed after advancing at officers with hatchet
Investigators say officers encountered Dale walking on a road while carrying a hatchet just before 1 a.m. on May 16. When they made contact with him, Dale ran at them and two officers used less-lethal force before one officer shot Dale.
According to the BCA, those officers are:
- Officer Nick Fladland, a five-year law enforcement veteran. He fired his department handgun and is now on critical incident leave.
- Officer Alex Rudnik, a 10-year law enforcement veteran. He deployed his Taser.
- Polk County Deputy Matt Benge, a five-year law enforcement veteran. He fired 40 mm foam less-lethal rounds.
The BCA says a hatchet was recovered at the scene, and parts of the encounter were captured by body-worn cameras. Agents are still reviewing that video as part of the investigation. Once complete, those findings will be sent to the Polk County Attorney’s Office for consideration of charges.