Family, community mourns James Weyaus as investigation into deputy shooting continues
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James Weyaus, 37, died on the scene early Sunday evening. The incident took place in Turtle Lake Township east of Walker. Weyaus, a Native American man, was a member of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe.
Late Thursday, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) identified Deputy David Donner as the officer who shot Weyaus.
According to a preliminary investigation by the BCA, deputies responded to a report of shots fired to the 8400 block of Old Agency Trail Northwest.
Deputies arriving at the scene passed Weyaus, who was later identified by name, walking along Highway 13, according to the BCA investigation.
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According to the BCA, Deputy Kaleb Cherne attempted to speak with Weyaus. Weyaus ran, and Cherne pursued him on foot. During the chase, Weyaus and Cherne exchanged gunfire, and Cherne was shot in his upper right leg. Donner saw Weyaus emerge onto the roadway and fired at Weyaus with his department-issued firearm.
The BCA report indicated that body-worn cameras captured portions of the exchange.
“Any release of body-worn camera video or the timing of it will come from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office,” said Michael Ernster, a spokesperson for the Department of Public Safety.
Cherne was transported by plane to a hospital in Fargo, North Dakota. He has since been released and is expected to make a full recovery.
Both Donner and Cherne have been placed on leave following the incident.
Mourners gathered Wednesday night to remember Weyaus
James Weyaus was the foster son of Leech Lake chairman Faron Jackson Sr.
Jackson and his late wife Laurel Jackson cared for Weyaus and his brother, welcoming the two boys into their home when they were small. Jackson said Weyaus was 3 years old when he arrived. Weyaus remained in the family home until after he had aged out of the foster care system.
“He called me Dad. I never asked him to call me Dad. I thought that was an honor,” said Jackson.
Jackson said he called Cass County Sheriff Bryan Welk the day after the incident and asked if he would take him to the place where his son was killed.
Jackson said he’s worked with Welk in his capacity as an elected tribal official. Jackson said he and Welk met the day after the incident at the site where Weyaus’s body was recovered. Jackson said it was during his visit to the site that he decided to plan a ceremony to honor his son.
An Ojibwe spiritual leader from Leech Lake and another from Red Lake offered prayers and honor songs for Weyaus at the event on Wednesday. Community members from Onigum attended the ceremony to remember Weyaus.
“They knew he had respect for them, and people respected him,” Jackson said.
Jackson said it’s difficult for him to talk about his son in the past tense. He described Weyaus as “a good young man,” who had “made some mistakes in his life, just as we all make mistakes.”
Jackson said he has been invited by Welk to view the footage of the incident collected by the deputy's body-worn cameras. Jackson said he agreed to meet with Welk on Monday in Walker to view the video footage.
“Hopefully, after Monday, we’ll know more,” said Jackson.
A wake for Weyaus is scheduled to begin Saturday at the Onigum Community Center with a burial service to follow on Sunday.
