Trooper ID'ed in fatal Minn. Iron Range shooting
The Minnesota State Patrol has released the name of the trooper who shot and killed an Iron Range man last weekend.
Trooper Travis Pearson is a seven-year veteran assigned to the patrol's Virginia distinct. Pearson shot 66-year-old Donnie Joe Lira of Cherry Township late Saturday after Lira reportedly fired shots at the home where his estranged wife and her children were staying.
Pearson found Lira driving away and returning to his own home. The patrol says Lira came out of his car with a firearm and ignored the trooper's commands. The two exchanged gunfire. Lira died at a hospital. Pearson was not hurt.
Pearson is on paid administrative leave, standard procedure in deadly force incidents.
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The St. Louis County sheriff's office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are investigating.
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Information from: Duluth News Tribune
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