Elk River Police Officer Injured in October 12th Shootout Released from Hospital

(KNSI) — An Elk River Police Officer hurt during a shootout with a drug suspect earlier this month is out of the hospital.

According to the department, the unnamed officer was shot in the arm and underwent nine hours of surgery to repair it. He was one of six Sherburne County Drug Task Force members carrying out a search warrant inside the Glendorado Township home of 64-year-old Karl Thomas Holmberg on October 12th. Holmberg is accused of shooting through a closed bedroom door with a .223 rifle, hitting five officers.

Chief Ron Nierenhausen thanked everyone for the outpouring of support shown to the officer’s family and the department during such a difficult time. He also extended a special thank you to the staff at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale “for the excellent care provided.”

Two other officers were also shot. Two were hit in their vests. The officers shot back and hit Holmberg in the foot.

The drug task force was tipped off to the possibility Holmberg and his wife were selling methamphetamine, leading to the warrant. Meth and traces of it were discovered around the house, including the bedroom where he was holed up.

Holmberg is charged with six counts of attempted first degree murder and six counts of first degree assault. He is being held in the Benton County jail on $3 million bail.

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