BCA Investigating Fatal Officer-Involved Shooting in Paynesville

Jun 3

A man died and a woman was injured Monday night in Stearns County after a domestic violence incident escalated into a shooting.

According to initial information, Paynesville officers were dispatched around 9 p.m. to a home on the 600 block of Stearns Avenue after a woman reported being assaulted by a man who was still inside and armed with a gun.

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BCA agents and crime scene personnel are on scene of a use-of-force incident in Paynesville.
More information to come.
— Minnesota BCA (@MnDPS_BCA) June 3, 2025

Responding agencies included the Paynesville Police Department, Stearns County Sheriff’s Department and officers from the Cold Spring Police Department.

The woman was able to safely exit the home and police said she had visible injuries to her head and neck. She told officers at the scene that the man still inside the residence and was armed with a gun.

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Law enforcement later determined the man had locked himself in the basement. Officers attempted to take him into custody and gave commands for him to approach the basement stairs with his hands visible.

At some point during the attempted arrest, shots were fired. Officers rendered medical aid, but the man died a short time later. Investigators have not yet clarified whether the man was shot by officers or if he died from a self-inflicted wound. A gun was recovered at the scene, officials confirmed Tuesday.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is handling the investigation, which is standard procedure for officer-involved shootings. Officials have not yet released the man’s name nor identified the officers who responded.

“The Paynesville Police Department along with the Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and the Cold Spring Police Department responded to a call of a domestic dispute in the City of Paynesville. Unfortunately, that call ended in the tragic death of the suspect. Chief Wegner has kept me apprised of events throughout the overnight and this morning, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is handling all necessary review and investigation into the shooting.”
"The City will fully cooperate with the MN BCA in their investigation. More information will be released by appropriate agencies as it becomes known and can be made public.”
“This tragic occurrence leaves our community in a level of shock that we were not planning to wake up to today. My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved during this tremendously sad day.” — Mayor Shawn Reinke

Paynesville Police Chief Paul Wegner confirmed that body-worn cameras were activated during the incident, though it’s unclear if or when those recordings may be released.

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