Deputies Fatally Shoot Armed Suspect Who Set Homes on Fire Near Duluth

Jul 15

A man is dead after he allegedly set multiple fires and shot at law enforcement Tuesday morning in Normanna Township.

The incident drew a large emergency response and ended with St. Louis County deputies fatally shooting the suspect.

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Around 9:20 a.m., a 911 caller reported that their neighbor had doused a family member in gasoline and set their home on fire near Heritage Trail and East Pioneer Road. A second caller soon reported the same man was now armed with a rifle. That caller identified the suspect as their neighbor and said the suspect’s own home was also engulfed in flames.

As dispatchers gathered more details, they learned the suspect had tried to ignite a second nearby home as well. A volunteer firefighter from Normanna Township arrived alone and was able to help put out the fire at the caller’s home and the second residence.

At 9:27 a.m., after leaving the area of the first home, the firefighter reported hearing gunfire and believed the suspect had fired at him. A neighbor confirmed hearing the shots. The firefighter immediately took cover for his safety.

Nine minutes later, a Duluth Township police officer arrived and was also fired upon by the suspect. The officer was not hit and did not return fire.

At 9:52 a.m., five deputies from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office moved toward the burning homes and encountered the suspect. All five deputies discharged their firearms during the confrontation, striking the man. Life-saving efforts were initiated but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene.

No deputies, neighbors or other first responders were physically injured.

Investigators later located what they described as homemade devices placed on or near the property, apparently intended to launch projectiles at first responders as they approached.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is now handling the investigation into the deputy-involved shooting. All five deputies were wearing body-worn cameras and have been placed on standard administrative leave.

“This was a chaotic and very dangerous incident,” Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said. “I’ve been to the scene myself, and I could not be more proud of our deputies — they used their training, their experience and their teamwork to protect the community and safely end this dangerous situation.”

Authorities have not released the name of the suspect. The BCA will provide additional updates as the investigation continues.

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