Minnesota BCA ID's officer, suspect in use-of-force incident in Polk County

(St. Paul, Minn.) – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified three officers and the suspect involved in the May 16 use-of-force incident in Crookston, Minn.

The University of North Dakota’s Forensic Pathology’s forensic pathologist has identified 35-year-old Andrew Scott Dale, of Crookston, as the individual shot by authorities. Officials say he died of multiple gunshot wounds.

Minnesota BCA has identified three officers who used force. Crookston Police Officer Nick Fladland fired his department handgun. He has five years of experience in law enforcement and is on critical incident leave. Officer Alex Rudnik deployed his Taser. He has 10 years of law enforcement experience. Polk County Deputy Matt Benge fired 40 mm foam less-lethal rounds. He has five years of law enforcement experience.

According to the preliminary investigation, just before 1 a.m. on May 16, the officers came upon Dale walking in the road with a hatchet. They made contact with him, and he ran toward them, still holding the hatchet. Rudnik and Benge used less-lethal force, but it was ineffective. Fladland fired his department handgun, striking Dale multiple times. The officers provided life-saving care, but Dale later died at the hospital.

BCA crime scene personnel recovered a hatchet and cartridge casings at the scene. Body-worn cameras captured portions of the incident. BCA agents are reviewing all available video as part of the active investigation.

The investigation is ongoing.