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State investigators on Wednesday revealed new details of the confrontation Saturday night in the western Minnesota town of Cyrus that left Pope County sheriff’s deputy Josh Owen dead and two other officers wounded.

The three officers were in the process of arresting Bryan Nygard, 34, of Cyrus for suspected domestic violence when Nygard pulled out a gun and began firing, shooting Owen three times as Owen and Pope County deputy Brody Merrill returned fire, the 

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said in a statement

Nygard died from multiple gunshot wounds. 

The BCA said its agents recovered a pistol, bullets and cartridge casings at the scene. All three officers were wearing their body cameras and the agency is reviewing the video, which is expected to be redacted and released to the public later.

As the investigation continues, the BCA offered a brief timeline of events.

Just after 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Alex Olson, a police officer from the nearby town of Starbuck, responded to a domestic violence call at an apartment in Cyrus. Owen and Merrill responded after him. 

When they arrived, the officers entered the home and spoke to Nygard and a woman. After some initial investigation, they told Nygard that he was under arrest. 

“Nygard, who had been seated at a table, stood up, drew a firearm and began firing. Deputies Owen and Merrill returned fire. Officer Olson was in the hallway and did not fire. In the exchange of gunfire, all three officers and Nygard were struck,” the BCA said. 

Owen died later at the hospital in Glenwood. Merrill, who was hit once in the upper chest in his protective vest, was treated at the hospital and released. Olson’s injuries were considered minor and he was not hospitalized, the BCA said.

The woman living with Nygard had left the apartment before the shooting occurred and was not injured, investigators added.

Funeral services for Owen are scheduled for Saturday morning at Minnewaska Area High School.

Cyrus is about 2 1/2 hours northwest of the Twin Cities. 

Crime, Law and Justice

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Bryan Nygard, 34, of Cyrus, Minn., pulled a gun on officers trying to arrest him for suspected domestic violence. The gunfire killed Pope County deputy Josh Owen. The return fire killed Nygard, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Wednesday.

A Pope County deputy was killed while another deputy and a police officer were injured Saturday night as they tried to arrest a domestic violence suspect in the western Minnesota town of Cyrus.

Pope County, Minn., deputy killed, 2 other officers shot responding to domestic call

Seven police officers stand behind a podium as one gives remarks.

Mathew Holding Eagle III | MPR News

A police officer kneels next to a canine.

BCA provides new details in killing of Pope County deputy; suspect ID'd

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