ST. PAUL - Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating a shooting where a man who rammed an Austin police officer’s vehicle was shot and injured by a city officer during a high speed chase.
The incident Wednesday night about 8 p.m. started after a report of erratic driving. Two Austin officers and a Mower County deputy responded to the call.
A chase then began when the officers tried to stop the vehicle being driven at speeds of more than 70 mph in the city. When the officers stopped behind the vehicle at one point, the man put his vehicle in reverse, ramming an Austin police officer’s vehicle, said the BSA in a preliminary report.
The officer then fired at the man, striking him, the BCA said.. The man fled again, but was stopped by the deputy.
The man, who was not identified, was taken by ambulance to Mayo Clinic Hospital in Austin and then to St. Marys Hospital in Rochester where he is being treated for non life-threatening injuries.
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No officers were injured, said the BCA.
The unidentified police officer who fired his weapon is being placed on standard administrative leave. BCA crime scene investigators are collecting evidence and reviewing squad car videos. When the investigation is complete, the BCA will turn over its finding to the county attorney for review.
