More details about the killing of the Pope County councilman on Saturday night have been made public by the investigators. The sheriff’s office said that two deputies from Pope County and a Starbucks security guard were shot and murdered in Cyrus. Joshua Owen, a 44-year-old councilor, was one of them.
Deputy Brody Merrill, a four-year law enforcement veteran who was wounded once in the upper chest, was treated at the hospital but has already been discharged. He’s on administrative leave right now. Officer Alex Olson of Starbucks was shot in the ankle but did not require hospitalization.
Bryan Nygard, 34, was named by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office as a suspect who perished in the incident. Nearly 7:30 p.m. saw Officer Olson respond to a domestic violence incident at Cyrus’ apartment, according to the Minnesota Department of Criminal Apprehension. Representatives Merrill and Owen also spoke.
They spoke to Nygard and a woman after entering the home. They soon told Nygard that he had been taken into custody. Nygard, who had been seated at the table, is accused of getting up, pulling a revolver, and opening fire. Representatives Irving and Merrill retaliated.
According to the BCA, Owen passed away in a hospital after being shot three times, while Nygard died at the site. The woman who was inside the flat before the incident did not sustain any injuries. A firearm, ammunition, and shell casings, according to the investigators, were found at the scene. The BCA is examining video of the incident because all three of the officers were outfitted with body cameras. After the matter is resolved, the footage will be made available to the public.