Man who fired gun at traffic, died from self-inflicted gunshot in Bloomington identified

The man who died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after firing his weapon at traffic on Interstate 494 last week has been identified.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner on Tuesday identified the man as 40-year-old Anton Lamont Burnes, of Lakeville. Burnes died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head and his manner of death was ruled as suicide.

Additionally, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified the officer who fired his weapon at Burnes.

Officer Michael Perron, of the Bloomington Police Department, is on standard administrative leave, the BCA said. He’s a 17-year veteran of law enforcement.

The BCA said it is working to determine whether or not Burnes was hit when Perron fired his weapon, specifically whether or not a non-life-threatening leg injury was caused by Perron.

Police: Man fired gun at traffic on I-494; dies after self-inflicted gunshot wound

Bloomington Police said, on March 18, officers from Bloomington and Richfield received reports just after 6:15 p.m. of a man with a firearm in the area of East 78th Street and Second Avenue South. Officers later made contact with Burnes, who was on a pedestrian bridge over I-494.

Bloomington Police Deputy Chief Mike Hartley said Burnes pulled out a gun and began firing in the direction of vehicles on I-494. Perron then fired at Burnes but Burnes continued to fire while on the bridge. Authorities say Burnes then began to climb on protective fencing on the bridge before he suffered a self-inflicted gunshot wound, causing him to fall onto the interstate.

At this time, police haven’t identified anyone from the public who was injured due to the incident.