Man killed in police response to domestic dispute in west-central Minnesota

PAYNESVILLE Minn A man is dead after an officer-involved shooting Monday night in Paynesville where police responded to a record of a domestic dispute The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension shared in a post on social media early Tuesday morning that BCA agents were at the scene to investigate According to a news release from Paynesville Police Chief Paul Wegner a male suspect broadcasted to be armed had locked himself in the basement of the home Shots were fired as police were attempting to take him into custody Upon arrival at the block of Stearns Avenue at around p m Monday officers from the Paynesville and Cold Spring police departments and the Stearns County Sheriff s Office were able to safely evacuate an adult female from the residence Officers entered the house and attempted to make verbal contact with the male according to the news release Officers reportedly reported the male to come to the basement stairs with his hands visible They also advised him that he was under arrest and that he needed to show himself The news release did not describe the ensuing shooting in any more detail Officers and biological personnel at the scene at once administered life-saving measures but the man died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene according to Wegner A firearm was also located at the scene The woman who stated being assaulted had suffered minor injuries to her head and neck area according to the news release Chief Wegner noted body-worn cameras were in use at the time of the shooting and the BCA is presently scrutinizing the event Paynesville Mayor Shawn Reinke issued a written declaration around p m Tuesday stating that Wegner had kept him apprised of the events overnight and Tuesday morning This tragic occurrence leaves our region in a state of shock that we were not planning to wake up to in the modern day My thoughts and prayers are with everyone involved during this tremendously sad day he revealed