On April 17, 2026, at approximately 4:38 P.M. Otter Tail County Dispatch received a call regarding a suicidal male who informed the complainant that he was going outside to kill himself. The complainant reportedly heard a gunshot shortly after. The address of the call was [address omitted], Battle Lake, a location in Otter Tail County. This address is a trailer court densely populated with trailers and is approximately one block removed from the Battle Lake city limits. It is also approximately 100 feet from the Tiny Tykes Childcare and Preschool Facility.
The shots were fired at approximately 4:30, which would be the highest level of both pedestrian and vehicular traffic. The Battle Lake Public School is just blocks away from the trailer court. Law enforcement responded with a SWAT team including members from Otter Tail County Sheriff's Office and Fergus Falls Police Department. The response team included the use of the Fergus Falls Police Department BearCat. While law enforcement responded to the address, law enforcement learned that the male who was identified as Clinton Hunnicut Jr., the above-named defendant, returned inside of the residence still in possession of the firearm.
The complainant was able to safely retreat from the residence. Law enforcement learned that the defendant has prior military experience causing additional concern based on his knowledge and experience in firearms and tactics. Law enforcement made contact with the defendant via phone who abruptly hung up on law enforcement. Law enforcement established a perimeter around the residence and began evacuating trailers surrounding the defendant's residence. Law enforcement observed the defendant inside the residence who appeared to be surveilling the area.
The defendant exited the residence holding a towel draped over his hands as if he was trying to hide something underneath. Sergeant Wanger and Deputy Wing approached the defendant on foot commanding the defendant to come forward. The defendant yelled back, dropped the towel and returned into the residence. A plan was formulated to approach the residence with two armored vehicles and with Deputy Wing approaching with the vehicles and his K-9 partner, Jocko. As the vehicles were approaching, commands were given to the defendant informing him that he was under arrest and needed to surrender himself to law enforcement.
The defendant exited the residence, re-entered and came back out before sitting on a chair. Law enforcement continued to give commands to the defendant. The defendant complied with showing that he did not have the firearm tucked into his waistband. Further commands were given for the defendant to surrender. The defendant was informed if he did not comply, K9 Jocko would be deployed. The defendant stood up and stated he was going to go back into the residence. Law enforcement, concerned that the defendant was going to retrieve the firearm, shot a less than lethal round at the defendant which was seemingly ineffective.
