Seven law enforcement officers fired their guns when an armed carjacking suspect was killed Monday near Harris, Minn., in Chisago County, the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Thursday.
The suspect was identified Thursday as Gregory Shawn Thrower, 39. A records search puts his last known address as Kinston, N.C., a town of about 22,000 people in east-central North Carolina.
Thrower's 7-year-old daughter was found unharmed in the car, which was stolen Monday morning in North Branch.
The BCA identified the officers who fired their weapons as Chisago County deputy Scotty Finnegan, who has been with the Sheriff's Office for 15 months; deputy Tom Hanson, an eight-year veteran; investigator Cliff Sheppeck, 13 years; Sgt. Matt Beckman, 19 years; Sgt. Jason Foster, 16 years; Sgt. Kyle Puelston, 11 years, and trooper Travis Elmer, who has been with the State Patrol for six years.
Sheriff's deputies and North Branch police were called to the scene of an armed carjacking at a home in North Branch shortly before 8 a.m. Monday, the BCA said. Thrower's daughter was with him and no one was injured in that incident.
Two hours later, the OnStar vehicle communications service called the Sheriff's Office and reported that Thrower had contacted them from the stolen car. OnStar transferred Thrower to sheriff's dispatcher. He threatened to kill himself and asked that someone come and pick up his daughter.
When officers approached the area — a bean field in rural Fish Lake Township near Harris, Thrower walked out of an area of tall reeds about 30 feet away and pointed a gun at them. The seven officers at the scene fired their guns, killing Thrower. The officers were not wearing body cameras and there is no squad car video of the incident.
Thrower's daughter was found in the stolen car about 30 feet away.
The BCA is investigating the shooting; North Branch police are investigating the carjacking. When the investigations are complete, the findings will be presented to the Chisago County attorney's office, the BCA said.
Pat Pheifer • 612-673-7252
