BCA: Officers fire guns, less-lethal rounds at man with sword in North Branch

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.

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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
  • DHS map and list of statewide adult mental health crisis response phone numbers
  • DHS map and list of statewide children’s mental health crisis response phone numbers
• 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.