Man Killed By Minnesota Law Officer Was Armed With a Metal Pipe

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Saint Michael, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says the man who was shot and killed by a law officer last weekend in Saint Michael was armed with a metal pipe.

The BCA today released a report concerning its preliminary investigation into the deadly incident and identified the man who was killed as 67-year-old Jeffrey Chapman of Albertville. The law officer who took his life was identified as Wright County Sheriff's Deputy Austin Feenstra, who has about 10 months of law enforcement experience.

READ MORE: Motorist killed During Confrontation With Minnesota Deputy

The preliminary investigation found the fatal shooting followed a traffic stop around 4:45 AM in a residential area near the Saint Michael Middle School. The BCA says Deputy Feenstra initiated a traffic stop after witnessing erratic driving by Chapman, who was seen weaving and slowing down before suddenly accelerating.

After driving for about two blocks before stopping his car, the BCA says Chapman got out of the vehicle and walked toward the deputy, ignoring his verbal commands. The report indicates Chapman continued to approach Feenstra as he attempted to back away, and at one point, pulled out a length of pipe from his waistband. That's when the deputy opened fire. Chapman was hit by multiple bullets and died at the scene.

The report says BCA investigative personnel recovered spent shell casings from the deputy's firearm and a 9 inch metal pipe at the crime scene. It also notes that the Wright County Sheriff's Office does not have body cameras, although a squad car camera recorded portions of the incident.

Once the investigation is completed, the BCA will present the findings to the Wright County Attorney's Office.

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