BCA investigating after police shoot, kill suspected shooter; described as an ‘active shooting scene.’
[anvplayer video=”5165986″ station=”998122″]
UPDATE 11 p.m.:
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is now investigating after Stillwater police say officers shot and killed a shooting suspect Saturday afternoon.
“Very, very scary. I was just shaking when I first heard this,” recalls Janet Chabot, who says she heard about the shooting from a neighbor. “He said he did hear the pop from a gun at least five to six times. Heard the shots and I was in my living room, and saw all kinds of squads going by.”
Police say shortly before 2:30 Saturday afternoon, officers responded to an unknown medical call at an apartment complex in the 2200 block of West Orleans Street, just off Highway 36.
Stillwater Police Chief Brian Mueller says the call immediately escalated into an active shooter scene —with multiple calls of shots fired at the address.
“Prior to our arrival, the suspect shot many, many rounds inside and outside of the location,” Mueller told reporters. “Actually hurt several individuals prior to our arrival. We later learned the individual had several extended magazines to be utilized in a handgun.”
The chief says arriving officers were met with gunfire.
None were hurt, but a squad was hit by several rounds, police said.
“I was actually lying in bed, was taking a nap, and I heard a bunch of shots go off, which were really loud, not fireworks,” says Angela Schoenthaler, who lives in a third floor apartment.
She says she got up, checked on her kids, and went outside to her balcony to see what was going on.
That’s when Schoenthaler says she made eye contact with a man with a gun, who was outside in a parking area, as police were closing in.
“The gentleman came around the corner, and he looked at me and looked at the cop, and then he started shooting at the cop and then I got my kids down in the apartment,” she told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. “When I came back to look, the officers had him shot and he was down. [They were] getting him into cuffs.”
Mueller says his officers attempted life-saving measures before the suspect was transported to Regions Hospital, where he died.
He explains after the gunfire, officers went door-to-door to check on people inside the complex, and in surrounding businesses.
Stillwater Fire Chief Stuart Glaser said that several gas lines were struck during the incident, and the fire department cleared the building to make sure there were no other dangers present.
Authorities say the situation could have been much worse, with hundreds of people living there, and athletic facilities nearby packed with adults and children attending weekend events.
Mueller says two to three other people were hurt, but did not detail whether they were shot or injured in some other way. The severity of their injuries has not been released.
He did not identify the deceased gunman or comment on a motive. The chief says the BCA is now in charge of the investigation, and that they will remain on the scene at least through Sunday.
Mueller turned emotional when asked about this happening in his town.
“I’m a parent, I’m a resident, and it’s very scary,” he said. “I’m scared for what my officers faced. I’m scared what the residents faced. I’m proud of how they responded. It definitely hits home, and this isn’t something that happens in Stillwater.”
UPDATE 7:23 p.m.:
The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating after Stillwater Police Chief Brian Mueller says officers shot and killed a shooting suspect Saturday afternoon.
At around 2:20 p.m., police were called to respond to an unknown medical call to an apartment complex in the 2200 block of W Orleans St. The call immediately turned into a report of shots fired, according to law enforcement officials.
Multiple calls began coming in about shots being fired at the address.
“Prior to our arrival, the suspect shot many, many rounds both inside and outside of the location,” Mueller said. “[The suspect] hurt several individuals prior to our arrival, and we later learned that he had several extended magazines to be used in a handgun.”
Mueller did not release additional information on the other injured people.
Mueller said the information he received prior to the officers’ arrival was similar to that of an active shooter situation.
When officers arrived, they were met with gunfire, and Mueller says he believes a squad car was hit with several rounds.
Officers returned fire, hitting the suspect. First responders performed life-saving measures on the suspect, whom police believe is an adult man, but he was later pronounced deceased at a nearby hospital.
Mueller described the area as a “large-scale crime scene” and says the BCA will be processing the scene through Sunday morning.
He also shared that while the officers involved are still part of the initial investigation, and afterward the department will move forward with the administrative process.
Stillwater Fire Chief Stuart Glaser said that several gas lines were struck during the incident, and the Fire Department cleared the building to make sure there were no other dangers present.
Mueller spoke on the notion of an active shooter threat happening in Stillwater.
“I’m a parent. I’m a resident. It’s very scary,” he said. “I’m scared for what my officers faced, and I’m scared for what the residents faced.”
“I’m proud of my officers for how they responded, but it definitely hits home, and this isn’t something that happens in Stillwater,” he said. “The officers did what they needed to do today, and I’m very proud of them.”
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension announced it is investigating an officer use-of-force incident in Stillwater.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS photographers captured a large police presence and crime scene tape at an apartment complex located in the 2200 block of Orleans St W.
Someone on scene told KSTP that she heard gunshots. It is unclear what transpired at this time.
Media availability will be at 7 p.m. Saturday.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.