Man Who Shot Himself During Oakdale Police Search ID'd
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The man who died in an incident Thursday morning has been identified.
The Washington County Sheriff's Office says authorities were sent to the 2700 block of Granite Avenue North at about 8 a.m.
Investigators say an officer and agent were at the home to serve a search warrant. After knocking more than once, they forced their way into the home, which is standard procedure.
Once inside, they say 53-year-old Mark Kuzel, 53, shot at Oakdale officer Joe Groppoli. Investigators say the officer took cover and ran outside, while another returned fire and followed Groppoli out.
Kuzel told them he didn't want to go to jail. Then, investigators say, Kuzel shot himself in the head. He was transported to Regions Hospital, where he later died.
Normally the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigates officer-involved shootings, but since a BCA agent was involved, the St. Paul Police Department took up the investigation.
