Officials release body-worn camera footage from North Branch shooting that left woman dead

Officials release body-worn camera footage from North Branch shooting that left woman dead

Officials release body-worn camera footage from North Branch shooting that left woman dead

Body-worn camera footage from the officers involved in a shooting that left a woman dead in North Branch last week has been released by authorities.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) previously identified the two North Branch police officers as Kyle Miller, who used less-lethal force, and Duane Southworth, who fired his department rifle during the incident. Miller has a year-and-a-half of experience and Southworth has two years of experience.

The entire video that was shared by the North Branch Police Department can be viewed in the video player. WARNING: Some viewers may find the content disturbing.

REDACTED BWC OFFICER MILLER

REDACTED BWC OFFICER SOUTHWORTH

According to the investigation, officers responded to a report of a woman, later identified as Jamie Crabtree, walking down the street with a bottle of alcohol and a gun in a case. After Crabtree refused the officers’ orders to drop the gun, Miller deployed PepperBall rounds.

Officials say that a squad car camera then showed her pointing an object at the officers, which is when Southworth fired his gun and hit Crabtree.

The body-worn camera footage then shows for more than 14 minutes officers trying to get Crabtree to not reach for the gun and to roll away from it — yelling at her dozens of times they could not help until she rolled away. 

Eventually, officers are seen walking behind a squad to approach Crabtree and when they reach her, officers are seen handcuffing her and taking a photo for evidence before the video ends. 

While the footage shared does not show it, according to the BCA, police provided medical aid, but she later died at Lakes Region Emergency Medical Services.

Last week, 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS talked with Crabtree’s husband, who detailed her struggle with mental illness and alcohol over the last few years and his concerns with how police responded.

BCA officials recovered a handgun, a gun case and rifle cartridge casings at the scene.

The BCA will present its findings to the Washington County Attorney’s Office for review once the investigation is complete.