Felony Fugitive Led Police on Wild Chase, Threw Knife at Deputies

A man led law enforcement on a high-speed chase through Blue Earth County, crashed into multiple vehicles and threw a large butcher knife at deputies before being arrested.

Brandon Michael Hall, 43, of Shakopee, faces two counts of 1st-degree assault for using deadly force against peace officers, two counts of 2nd-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, fleeing a peace officer in a motor vehicle, two counts of 1st-degree damage to property creating a foreseeable risk of bodily harm, two counts of obstructing legal process and criminal vehicular operation resulting in bodily harm.

According to the complaint, law enforcement attempted to apprehend Hall on July 7 due to an active felony warrant. Officers identified Hall as the driver of a Ford Edge and tried to stop him at the intersection of Highway 68 and County Road 11. Hall initially stopped but then accelerated, striking an unmarked squad car and squeezing through a gap between squad vehicles to flee eastbound on Highway 68.

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During the pursuit, Hall sped through multiple intersections, causing other vehicles to swerve and nearly crash. Officers reported that Hall avoided spike strips and continued at a high rate of speed, disregarding emergency lights and sirens. Hall eventually struck a passenger van on the Highway 14 on-ramp and then rear-ended a passenger car near Highway 14 and Riverfront Drive.

The impact pushed the passenger car into a marked squad car, nearly hitting an officer and causing severe damage to both vehicles.

The complaint states that at least one person was injured in the crash and went to the emergency room for evaluation. After Hall’s vehicle became disabled, officers ordered him to exit, but he refused and made furtive movements inside the car while holding a large butcher or cleaver-style knife. Officers deployed pepper balls in an attempt to get Hall to surrender.

Hall eventually exited the vehicle with the knife in hand and tried to flee on foot. When officers deployed a taser, Hall turned toward them and threw the knife at two deputies. The complaint notes that the knife could have caused substantial bodily harm or death if it had struck either deputy. Officers deployed a taser again, causing Hall to fall to the ground, where he was arrested and handcuffed.

Following his arrest, Hall was transported to a medical facility for evaluation and a court-ordered blood draw. The blood sample was sent for testing. The investigation remains ongoing and additional charges may be filed.

The charges were filed Thursday, July 9, in Blue Earth County District Court. A court date has not yet been set.

About This Charge

Minnesota classifies assault by degree under § 609.221 (first), § 609.222 (second), § 609.223 (third), § 609.2231 (fourth) and § 609.224 (fifth). First-degree assault, alleging great bodily harm, carries up to 20 years in prison. The lower degrees range from gross-misdemeanor up to 10-year felony exposure depending on weapon use and harm.