BCA: Willmar Police Officer Shoots Attacker Wielding Utility Knife

(KNSI) – Investigators say a man wielding a utility knife was attacking a Willmar police officer when he opened fire last week.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says 33-year-old Jerry Jones was shot multiple times and is currently hospitalized in stable condition.

According to police, an officer with 17 years of experience responded on Sunday morning to a report of someone being threatened with a knife. The officer was speaking to the caller when Jones rapidly approached him while holding a utility knife.

The preliminary investigation indicates the officer backed away while ordering Jones to drop the knife, but Jones continued to run towards him. The officer fell backward. Jones then stood over him, slashing at him with the knife when the officer fired his gun. The officer suffered minor injuries.

Jones ran after being shot and was arrested two blocks away. He was rushed to the hospital, where he remains.

The BCA says they recovered a utility knife at the scene. They’re going through the officer’s body camera footage, which captured the incident.

Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings to the Kandiyohi County Attorney’s Office for review.

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