Paynesville Township, MN – A domestic disturbance call turned into a high-risk standoff Saturday, Feb. 15, when 58-year-old Nicholas Kaufenberg allegedly fired multiple rounds at responding Stearns County deputies, striking one officer’s safety glasses with birdshot.
Incident Overview
9:34 a.m.: Deputies responded to a residence on County Road 34 after reports of a domestic assault. Upon arrival, they determined there was probable cause to arrest Kaufenberg. Kaufenberg refused to come outside, making threats toward officers and claiming to have multiple firearms. 1:50 p.m.: The Stearns-Benton SWAT team was activated due to the risk of weapons. 7:35 p.m.: SWAT officers breached a bedroom window, prompting Kaufenberg to open fire with a shotgun. A deputy’s safety glasses were hit, but no injuries were reported. 7:40 p.m.: After deploying armored vehicles for protection, officers took Kaufenberg into custody without further incident.
Charges & Investigation
Kaufenberg was booked into Stearns County Jail on charges of:
- Misdemeanor Domestic Assault
- Second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon (punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or a $20,000 fine).
A search warrant uncovered multiple firearms and spent shell casings inside the residence.
Kaufenberg has no prior criminal history aside from a petty misdemeanor traffic violation in 2020.
Law enforcement officials credited armored vehicles and protective gear for ensuring officer safety during the intense exchange.
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I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News
