The Aitkin woman killed March 29 following a standoff with law enforcement has been identified as 50-year-old Denise Renie Fairchild.
Fairchild suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the torso, the Hennepin County medical examiner's office stated.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the shooting at the request of the Aitkin County Sheriff's Office.
Around 4:25 p.m. March 29, the sheriff's office responded to a request to check on the welfare of a suicidal woman. Aitkin County Sheriff's deputies encountered the woman's vehicle and followed her to 340th Place near Highway 210 and Highway 169 in Fleming Township, which is a half mile north of the French Lake Wildlife Management Area. A Minnesota DNR conservation officer who was in the area also responded to the scene.
According to the preliminary investigation, when law enforcement arrived, the woman remained in her vehicle and displayed a firearm, threatening to harm herself. Over 90 minutes, responding officers attempted to convince the woman to discard her weapons, the BCA stated. At one point she emerged from the vehicle. At least twice during the exchange, the woman fired shots at the officers. The BCA stated that none of the officers were hit by the gunfire. Around 7:10 p.m., officers returned fire, striking the woman.
ADVERTISEMENT
Officers attempted to render aid at the scene. The woman was then airlifted to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale where she died at 10:01 p.m.
The BCA stated officers involved were placed on standard administrative leave and have been identified as deputy Lawrence Derksen, who has been with the sheriff's office for 24 years; deputy Greg Payment, who has been with the sheriff's office for 10 years; and Lt. Jeff Koehn, a DNR conservation officer for 10 years.
Once the BCA investigation is complete, it will be turned over to the Aitkin County Attorney's Office for review.
