BCA: Man Shot During Alleged Exchange of Gunfire With Police Died of Self Inflicted Gunshot Wound

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says the man who died in an alleged shootout with police early Saturday morning died by suicide.

According to a press release from the BCA, an Eden Valley police officer attempted to pull over 34-year-old Stephen Christ Poissant of Brainerd at about 2:20 for speeding and a headlight violation. An earlier press release from the Meeker County Sheriff’s Office says that Poissant did not stop, and instead fled west on Highway 55 and about a mile west of town, crashed into the ditch, then got out of his vehicle and “at one point, there was an exchange of gunfire.” The Meeker County Sheriff’s Office says the driver was shot, and the officer immediately began lifesaving measures, but Poissant was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators say Poissant was shot in the knee, but it was a grazing wound, and he died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Eden Valley police officers do not wear body cameras, but the BCA says the squad cars are equipped with a dashcam, which was on and running and captured the incident.

The BCA says the Eden Valley officer who discharged his firearm has been with the department for five years. He was not injured and is on administrative leave. The BCA’s investigation of the officer’s use of force is ongoing, and once complete, findings will be turned over without recommendation to the Meeker County Attorney’s Office for review.

KNSI is declining to name the officer as he has not been charged with a crime.

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