Deputies Fatally Shoot Driver After Duluth Pursuit
BY MN CRIME STAFF
Deputies fatally shot a man after a pursuit Tuesday night in Duluth, authorities confirm.
The incident happened around 9:40 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 10, after a Saint Louis County deputy attempted to stop a driver for reckless driving near Grand Avenue & 59th Avenue West.
The driver was reportedly in the wrong lane of traffic and speeding before the deputy attempted the traffic stop, according to initial radio dispatches.
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The driver fled, leading deputies on a short pursuit that ended when the vehicle was stopped in the 7900 block of Grand Avenue near North 79th Avenue West. Deputies used a PIT maneuver to stop the vehicle, per initial radio reports.
During the encounter, two deputies fired their weapons, striking the adult male driver, authorities confirm. He was the only occupant of the vehicle and was pronounced dead by paramedics a short time later, despite life-saving efforts at the scene.
Authorities say a handgun was located in the driver’s seat area of the vehicle and no deputies were physically injured during the incident.
Grand Avenue was closed from 78th Avenue West to 83rd Avenue West as investigators continued processing the scene, but the stretch was re-opened to traffic by around 9:45 a.m. Wednesday.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has been requested to investigate the shooting to avoid conflicts and ensure transparency. Authorities say additional information will be released as the investigation continues.
