Southwestern Minnesota standoff ends after exchange of gunfire, authorities say

CLARKFIELD, Minn. — Authorities in southwestern Minnesota shot a man to end an hourslong standoff early Sunday morning.

The Yellow Medicine County Sheriff's Office says deputies responded to a request for a welfare check on a 27-year-old man in Clarkfield around 3:15 p.m. Saturday. A short time later, deputies were told the man had left the city and was in a farm field with a rifle.

As deputies were evacuating people from a residence next to the farm field, the man allegedly pointed his rifle at them before fleeing into another residence.

Authorities then set up a perimeter around the house while deputies tried to contact the man.

Around 6:17 a.m., the man left the house and reportedly shot at authorities. A SWAT team member returned fire, striking the man in the leg, according to a press release.

The sheriff's office says the team rendered aid to the man and he was transported to Hennepin Healthcare, where he is in stable condition as of Thursday. He is expected to survive.

No other people were injured in the incident. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the investigation.

In total, eight law enforcement officers used force during the incident, according to the BCA. Two of those involved are on standard critical incident leave.

Big Stone County deputy Michael Lamee discharged his firearm while an undercover Meeker County deputy discharged their firearm.

The other six officers fired less-lethal rounds and non-lethal pepper ball rounds, the BCA says.