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A northern Minnesota man who was shot and killed by a police officer in the Iron Range city of Virginia last week was holding a torch lighter at the time he was shot, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. 

According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, Virginia police officers responded shortly before 8:30 a.m. on May 1 to a report of a man wearing a ski mask, walking on the sidewalk along Second Avenue West between Third and Fourth Streets, “holding and waving what appeared to be a handgun.”

Virginia Police Lt. Henry Trunk arrived at the scene and shouted at the man, identified as 31-year-old Ethan Roy Basche of nearby Chisholm, to put his hands in the air. Basche then walked toward Trunk and “appeared to raise what was believed to be a firearm,” according to the BCA. 

The BCA’s statement said Trunk then shot Basche. Officers provided medical assistance until medics arrived. Basche was taken to the Essentia Health-Virginia hospital, where he was pronounced dead. 

The Virginia Police Department has placed Trunk, who has 10 years of law enforcement experience, on critical incident leave, which is standard practice after an officer-involved shooting.

Investigators recovered a ski mask, spent casings and a torch lighter from the scene. Officers were wearing activated body-worn cameras. The BCA says the cameras captured “portions” of the incident. The footage has not yet been released.

An obituary describes Basche as someone whose creative presence was “larger than life,” and who enjoyed “the simple life” on the Iron Range, including fishing and walks in nature, rain or shine. 

A celebration of life is scheduled for 1 pm. Saturday, May 23, at True Hope Fellowship in Virginia. 

The BCA is investigating the incident. When that’s complete, the BCA will present its findings to the St. Louis County Attorney for review.

Minnesota News

Crime, Law and Justice

Greater Minnesota

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Dan Kraker

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According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Ethan Roy Basche, who was shot and killed by Virginia police on May 1, was holding a torch lighter that officers believed was a firearm. 

BCA: Man shot and killed by police on Iron Range was holding a torch lighter, not a gun

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