Authorities: Suspect Shot, Killed In Home Invasion
RAY, Minn. (WCCO) — The Koochiching County Sheriff's Office says a 34-year-old Mendota Heights man was shot and killed after he assaulted an elderly woman in her Ray, Minn. home Saturday morning.
According to the preliminary investigation, at 5:19 a.m. deputies responded to a break-in and assault at the home of Neil and Jody Reller at 4202 Highway 53.
The Reller family said a man, later identified as Benjamin Beaudoin, broke into the home through a locked door. Neil Reller grabbed a shotgun and engaged in a struggle with Beaudoin, striking him several times over the head, which broke the stock off the gun. The struggle continued until Beaudoin fled the home in his vehicle.
When deputies were dealing with the initial report, a 911 call came in of an incident at the nearby Himes residence located at 5741 Highway 53. Deputies responded and discovered Beaudoin's vehicle in the driveway.
The resident, 72-year-old Ethal Himes, reported that she offered to let Beaudoin, who showed up at her home with blood on his face saying he was assaulted, into her home. He then allegedly attacked her and threw her down on the living room floor. He was choking and beating her head on the floor when her son, Bradley Himes, came into the room and saw what was happening.
When Beaudoin didn't respond to demands to stop the assault, Bradley Himes went to his bedroom and grabbed a handgun. Beaudoin followed him and lunged at him, which was when Bradley Himes shot him, authorities said.
The deputy at the scene administered first aid to Beaudoin. He was taken by ambulance to Rainy Lake Medical Center where he later died from his injuries.
"The Koochiching County Attorney's Office has been briefed on the July 26 shooting in Ray, Minn.," said Jeff Naglosky, Koochiching County Attorney. "At this time, reports are not available from the Minnesota BCA crime scene team or the St. Louis County Medical Examiner. Due to the ongoing nature of this investigation, no further comment is appropriate at this time."
The investigation is ongoing.
Ray is located approximately 19 miles southeast of International Falls, Minn.