St. Louis County sheriff posts video showing officer-involved fatal shooting
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St. Louis County officials have released video of an officer-involved shooting two weeks ago of a man who allegedly started three homes on fire, including his own.
The St. Louis County Sheriff's Office posted the video Tuesday on YouTube. It contains dash cam footage and video from body cams worn by the five deputies involved.
The video that compiles excerpts of the footage shows Adam Clinton Wolf, 57, of Normanna township, fire at the deputies. All five almost instantly return fire, killing him.
The officers responded to the scene between Duluth and Two Harbors on the morning of July 15, after a caller said Wolf had sprayed a family member with gasoline and set their home on fire, as well as a neighbor's home.
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Another neighbor reported Wolf was armed with a rifle. He was reported to be transporting himself around on a riding lawnmower.
A responding firefighter put out the fire at the neighbor's home and heard gunshots. He believed he was being shot at, as did a responding officer from Duluth Township who arrived at the location.
When the deputies arrived, they began searching for Wolf. The video shows them slowly approaching behind a truck, when Wolf appears in the road ahead of them.
Deputies yell “Show me your hands!” The video shows Wolf firing a gun. Then all five deputies fire multiple shots in return, including the driver of the truck, who shoots through the windshield.
The sheriff’s office says the deputies administered medical aid to Wolf. But he was pronounced dead at the scene.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this incident, including our Deputies, 911 staff and all the Fire and Emergency personnel who responded, as well as the affected neighbors and family of Mr. Wolf,” said St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Ramsay.
“We hope the release of this footage provides some clarity as everyone involved attempts to understand this tragic incident.”
Officials say 12 homemade shotgun-type devices were found at the scene. Medical aid was rendered to Wolf, but he was pronounced deceased. BCA crime scene personnel recovered a firearm similar to a shotgun, spent cartridge casings as well as improvised shotgun-type devices along the roadway.
St. Louis County sheriff Gordon Ramsay says he hopes the release of the footage provides clarity and helps people understand the tragic incident.
The five deputies involved were Sgt. Zachary Peterson, Deputy Charles Bennett, Deputy Matt Miranda, Deputy Forest Lunemann, and Deputy Michael Pikul.
All have at least seven years of law enforcement experience, except Lunemann, who has three years experience.
They’re all on critical incident leave. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating. When complete the BCA will present its findings to the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office for review.
