Suspect Shot, Officer Injured After Knife Attack in Saint Cloud

May 9

An officer was injured and a suspect shot late Friday afternoon during a domestic call that escalated into a knife attack in Saint Cloud.

Police were dispatched just before 3:45 p.m. to a reported domestic dispute on the 600 block of 8th Avenue North. According to Saint Cloud Police, a woman told dispatchers that a man she previously had a relationship with had threatened her and lunged at her with his fists raised.

When officers arrived, they spoke with both the woman and the man. During the early stages of the investigation, the man walked to a vehicle parked nearby and sat inside. Officers later informed him that he was under arrest and directed him to exit the vehicle. He initially refused, but then got out holding a knife, SCPD said.

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As one of the officers approached, the man allegedly lunged forward and struck the officer in the arm with the knife. The officer responded by firing one shot, hitting the man in the arm. A second officer then deployed a Taser and the man was taken into custody, police said.

Officers immediately began providing medical care and the suspect was later transported to Saint Cloud Hospital by Mayo Ambulance. He was reported to be in stable condition as of Friday evening. Police said one officer sustained minor injuries from the knife during the incident and that the weapon was recovered at the scene.

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The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is now leading the investigation into the officer’s use-of-force. The Stearns County Sheriff's Office is handling the criminal investigation related to the domestic dispute and the assault on the officer.

The suspect has not yet been identified and more details are expected within the coming days.

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