2 people killed, deputy hurt in shooting after traffic stop in Wadena County

Police say two people died and a deputy was hurt in a shooting Saturday night after a traffic stop in Wadena County turned into an exchange of gunfire.

According to the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office, around 8:48 p.m., a deputy attempted to stop a vehicle for a traffic offense near 205th Avenue and 280th Street in North Germany Township. The vehicle eventually stopped near 205th Avenue and 270th Street.

The sheriff’s office said a struggle started to happen between the deputy and the driver. A second driver then arrived on the scene and right after, a Sebeka Police Department officer arrived and the struggled continued.

A short time later, at least one of the two people involved began shooting at the officers. One of the officers returned fire. All four were struck by gunfire, the sheriff’s office said.

The injured deputy was taken by ambulance to St. Joseph’s Health in Park Rapids and then transferred to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale with serious injuries.

The deputy has since been released from the hospital and is recovering at home, according to an update from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

The Sebeka officer was struck in the vest and did not require medical treatment.

One of the two other people who were shot died at the scene, the sheriff’s office said. The other was taken by ambulance to Tri-County Health Care in Wadena, where they later died.

The investigation is in its very early stages and more information will be available released by the BCA at a later date.

There is no ongoing threat to the public, but the Wadena County Sheriff’s Office urges people to stay away from the area at this time.

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.