Ex-Trooper Dies by Self-Inflicted Gunshot After Domestic Assault, BCA Says

Jun 4

An 80-year-old retired Minnesota State Trooper died of a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound in Paynesville after reportedly assaulting his wife and starting a standoff with police, the BCA says.

Just after 9 p.m. on Monday, June 2, officers from the Paynesville Police Department, Stearns County Sheriff’s Office and Cold Spring Police Department were dispatched to a home on the 600 block of Stearns Avenue.

***Alstead*** *in an undated photo by Paynesville Press*

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Police say a woman had reported being assaulted by her husband, who remained inside the home and was armed with a handgun.

When officers arrived, the woman was able to safely exit the home. She had visible injuries to her head and neck area, according to police. They learned the man inside had locked himself in the basement, and they started trying to get him to surrender.

The man was officially identified Wednesday as Larry Dale Alstead, of Paynesville.

According to an article by the Paynesville Press, Alstead served with the Minnesota State Patrol for more than 32 years and retired in late 1999. He grew up in Douglas County, served in the Navy after high school and was stationed for most of his time in Paynesville while he was a Trooper.

As officers gave commands for Alstead to show his hands and come to the basement stairs, he appeared holding a handgun. Stearns County Sgt. Paul Orvis—a 23-year law enforcement veteran—fired his handgun twice, according to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Alstead then fired a single, self-inflicted shot. Despite immediate medical aid, he died at the scene.

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The Midwest Medical Examiner determined Alstead died from thew self-inflicted gunshot wound. BCA crime scene investigators recovered a handgun and spent shell casings from the home. All responding officers were wearing body cameras during the encounter, according to officials. Sgt. Orvis has been placed on critical incident leave, which is standard practice following a use-of-force incident.

The BCA is continuing to investigate the shooting. Once complete, the findings will be submitted to the Stearns County Attorney’s Office for review and no charging recommendations will be made by the BCA.

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