BCA investigating after man dies following confrontation with police in Meeker County
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified the man who died after a confrontation with police in Meeker County. The BCA says 34-year-old Stephen Christ Poissant of Brainerd shot himself in the head after exchanging gunfire with police. The incident happened early Saturday morning on Highway 55 just west of Eden Valley.
An officer tried to stop Poissant in Eden Valley for speeding and a headlight violation around 2:20 a.m. Saturday, according to a release from the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office. Poissant took off, heading west. The vehicle ended up in a ditch. The driver got out and there was an exchange of gunfire, according to the sheriff. Officer Evan Borschied fired his weapon, grazing Poissant’s knee. That was before Poissant turned the gun on himself. Borschied tried life-saving measures, but Poissant was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Eden Valley Police Department does not have body cameras, but a squad camera recorded the entire scene.
Borschied was not injured and is on standard administrative leave, according to the BCA.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating and will turn over its findings to the Meeker County Attorney’s Office for review.
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