Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Peter Cox

Stevens Co. sheriff's deputy fatally shoots man after 50-mile chase

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

An Evansville, Minn., man was shot and killed Friday morning by a Stevens County sheriff's deputy after a 50-mile, three-county chase. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating.

In a statement Friday, the BCA said a deputy from the Stevens County Sheriff's Office responded to a report of an erratic driver just after 7 a.m. outside the town of Donnelly, Minn.

The deputy found a stopped pickup truck, with a driver who appeared to be slumped over.

The deputy spoke with the man — later identified as Jay Holmgren, 37, of Evansville — and took down information from his driver's license, but Holmgren quickly drove away.

That kicked off an hour-and-a-half chase during which the BCA reported Holmgren led officers 50 miles across Stevens, Grant and Traverse counties. At points, the BCA said, the chase reached speeds of 80 miles per hour. During the pursuit, Holmgren allegedly rammed a Morris Police Department squad car and shot out of the rear window of his truck at squad cars.

Officers were able to stop Holmgren's truck by spinning it out on Highway 27 between Wheaton and Browns Valley, Minn.

There was a brief standoff, according to the BCA, during which officers tried to negotiate with Holmgren. After refusing to comply with officers' commands, the BCA reported, he got out of his truck with a handgun and ran toward a field on the west side of the highway.

Five officers in a Traverse County Sheriff's Office vehicle pursued Holmgren through the field. About 175 yards off the highway, they got into his path.

The BCA reported that, from 25 yards away, Holmgren aimed his handgun at the officers and one of the officers — Stevens County Deputy Ron Hensinger — fired at Holmgren, striking him. Holmgren died at the scene.

The BCA is investigating the fatal shooting and will turn its investigation, once complete, over to the Traverse County Attorney's Office. Formal identification and an autopsy will be handled by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner.