Sheriff releases video of Mahnomen County deputy shooting armed suspect
The Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Office has released dash camera footage of an incident last month in which a deputy shot a suspect who had drawn a gun following a pursuit.
In a statement posted to social media, the sheriff’s office said it released the video because a Twin Cities-based group had made a “wanted” poster accusing Deputy Dakota Czerny of attempted murder that “raises serious questions about Deputy Czerny’s safety.”
The March 13 video, which lasts about 30 seconds, shows Czerny approach people standing outside a vehicle that had crashed into a snowbank.
Warning: The video below contains footage that might be disturbing to some viewers.
[anvplayer video=”5102373″ station=”998122″]
Czerny is seen trying to put handcuffs on one person before suddenly moving away. Czerny can be seen raising his weapon and heard yelling, “Drop the gun!”
A second person is then seen turning around before drawing a handgun and pointing it at the deputy. Czerny is heard firing at least five rounds at the armed suspect as he stumbles backward, and he and the suspect both fall to the snow.
Dashcam footage released by the Mahnomen County Sheriff's Office shows Deputy Dakota Czerny, right, aiming his gun at an armed suspect, 20-year-old Shequoya Basswood, during an incident on March 13, 2022. Basswood was shot and taken to the hospital and faces several charges, including first-degree assault of a peace officer and first-degree attempted murder of a peace officer. (Mahnomen County Sheriff's Office)
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says the incident happened around 1:30 a.m. March 13. A deputy had tried to stop a speeding vehicle heading east on Highway 200, but the deputy’s squad slid into a ditch and Czerny picked up the pursuit.
Czerny eventually stopped the fleeing vehicle by using a PIT maneuver in the town of Naytahwaush. Two of the six occupants of the vehicle ran off, and the shooting incident happened while Czerny was trying to detain the other four.
The woman who drew the gun on Czerny, 20-year-old Shequoya Basswood, was taken to the hospital for her injuries.
Deputy Czerny was placed on standard administrative leave at the time, and he has since returned to active duty.
The Minnesota BCA continues to investigate the incident.
Basswood faces six total charges, including one count each of first-degree assault against a peace officer and first-degree attempted murder of a peace officer, felon in possession of a firearm and multiple weapons violations.
A criminal complaint states Basswood has a prior violent crime conviction as a juvenile and is not eligible to possess a gun or ammunition.
Basswood remains in custody in Koochiching County on $100,000 cash bail with no conditions or $1 million bond with conditions. Her first court appearance in Mahnomen County District Court is set for Friday.