Officials ID Man Killed in Police Shooting at Minnesota Shelter

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has released new information about a fatal officer involved shooting that happened at a Minnesota homeless shelter.

Read More: Police Fatally Shoot Man at Minnesota Homeless Shelter

The critical incident occurred on July 1 in Crookston. A statement released shortly after the shooting by the Crookston Police Department said officers shot and killed a combative man after responding to a fight at the shelter.

A news release issued by the BCA identified the man shot and killed by police as Christopher Ryan Junkin. An autopsy confirmed the 44-year-old man died of multiple gunshot wounds.

The Crookston Police Officer who fired the fatal gunshots has been identified as Nick Fladland. He has five years of law enforcement experience.

The other police officer identified in the news release is Corey Rich, who has two years of law enforcement experience.

Crookston Police Department/Facebook

Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy April Hansen was also at the scene. She has 14 years of law enforcement experience.

BCA: Police Officer Who Shot & Killed at Man in Minnesota Homeless Shelter Also Fatally Shot Man Armed With Hatchet

The BCA’s preliminary investigation, which includes a review of body-worn camera footage, indicates the law officers found Junkin breaking property when they responded to the shelter on the report of men fighting.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension photo

Authorities say Junkin refused commands from law enforcement. The officers and deputy each fired their tasers and Hansen also deployed a chemical irritant to try and subdue Junkin.

The officers then backed down a hallway and Junkin followed them. Fladland then fired his service weapon and the rounds struck Junkin, the news release says.

He received treatment from the officers but was pronounced dead at the scene. BCA agents reported recovering spent shell casings at the scene.

Minnesota BCA news release

The agency plans to forward their findings to the Polk County Attorney’s Office without a charging recommendation upon completion of the investigation.

Fladland, who was identified as the officer who fired his weapon and killed a man wielding a hatchet in May, has since been placed on standard critical incident leave.