Investigators have revealed more information about the shooting of the Pope County councilman Saturday night. Two Pope County deputies and a Starbucks officer were shot and killed in Cyrus, the sheriff’s office said. One of those councilors, Joshua Owen, 44, died.
Deputy Brody Merrill, who has four years of law enforcement experience, was shot once in the upper chest and has been released from the hospital. He is currently on administrative leave. Starbucks officer Alex Olson was shot once in the ankle and was not hospitalized.
The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office identified Bryan Nygard, 34, as a suspect who died in the incident. According to the Minnesota Department of Criminal Apprehension, Officer Olson received a domestic violence call at Cyrus’ apartment shortly after 7:30 p.m. Congressmen Merrill and Owen also responded.
They enter the house and talk to Nygard and a woman. Soon after, they informed Nygard that he had been arrested. Nygard, who had been sitting at the table, allegedly stood up, drew his gun and started shooting. Congressmen Irving and Merrill fired back.
Nygard died at the scene and Owen died in hospital after being shot three times, the BCA said. The woman, who had been in the apartment before the shooting, left the apartment unhurt. Investigators said they recovered a pistol, bullets and shell casings from the scene. All three officers were wearing body cameras and the BCA is reviewing footage of the incident. The footage will be released to the public after the case is over.
