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Law enforcement shot and killed a person in St. Louis County Tuesday after the person allegedly set two homes on fire and shot a weapon at an officer.

According to a statement from the St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office, two 911 callers in Normanna Township reported that a neighbor had thrown gasoline on someone and had set two homes on fire.

A Duluth Township officer responded and came across the suspect on the scene; the suspect reportedly fired at the officer. The officer was not hit and did not return fire. 

Shortly after, five St. Louis County sheriff’s deputies arrived at the scene and encountered the suspect while approaching the burning homes. All five discharged their weapons, according to the sheriff’s office. The suspect was hit. 

The sheriff’s office did not say what prompted the five deputies to fire.

Deputies attempted life-saving aid, but the suspect was pronounced dead at the scene. 

St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay said he was at the scene.

“I am extremely grateful that no innocent neighbors, no firefighters and no law enforcement officers were hurt or killed today,” Ramsey said. “This was a chaotic and very dangerous incident.”

Officers also found homemade devices near the scene, apparently designed to launch projectiles at people approaching by road.

A volunteer firefighter from Normanna Township reported hearing gunfire while he worked on fires at the two properties before police arrived. He told police he believed he was shot at, and he sheltered in place for safety. 

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the investigation into the incident.

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Estelle Timar-Wilcox

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Law enforcement shot and killed a person in St. Louis County Tuesday after the person allegedly set two homes on fire and shot a weapon at an officer.


Deputies shoot and kill man suspected of setting two house fires in St. Louis County

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