St. Francis, MN (trfnews.i234.me) — A man wanted on a sexual assault warrant died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound following a SWAT standoff in St. Francis on Wednesday, April 23.
Around 6:30 p.m., a St. Francis police officer spotted the suspect near the 23400 block of Lackawanna Street NW and recognized him as having an active felony warrant. When the officer attempted to make contact, the man fled into a nearby residence. Shortly after, a suspected gunshot was heard from inside the home.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, Ramsey and Anoka Police Departments, Anoka County SWAT, and Allina EMS, responded to the scene. A perimeter was established, and neighboring streets were closed to traffic during the incident.
After unsuccessful negotiation attempts, SWAT officers deployed a drone to enter the residence, where they found the man deceased with a suspected self-inflicted gunshot wound. Authorities confirmed that no officers discharged their weapons, and no other injuries were reported.
The suspect’s identity has not been released as of Thursday afternoon. The incident remains under investigation by the St. Francis Police Department, the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office, and the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.
Did You Know?
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The Anoka County SWAT team is a collaborative unit comprising officers from multiple local agencies, trained to handle high-risk situations.
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Drones are increasingly utilized by law enforcement for safe reconnaissance during standoff situations.
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Mental health resources are available for individuals in crisis; the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached at 988.
I’m Chris Harper, and I’m reporting for TRF News.