Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Releases More Details Surrounding Fatal Officer Involved Shooting in Wright County

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is releasing more details surrounding the events leading up to a fatal officer involved shooting in Wright County Saturday morning.

BCA investigators say a deputy tried to stop 67-year-old Jeffrey Lynn Chapman of Albertville just before 4:45 for erratic driving, including weaving and slowing down then accelerating suddenly. Chapman drove for about two blocks before he stopped his car, got out and walked toward the officer.

Despite issuing verbal commands, Chapman continued to approach. The deputy kept backing away but Chapman followed, at one point pulling out a length of pipe from his waistband. The deputy fired his gun, striking Chapman multiple times. Officers performed life-saving care, but Chapman died at the scene.

BCA crime scene personnel recovered a nine-inch metal pipe and cartridge casings at the scene.

Information went over the radio that Chapman was holding a knife, but as he was providing medical aid, it was corrected to say it was a length of pipe. A folding knife was later found in Chapman’s car but was not involved in this incident.

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office does not have body cameras so there is no body camera video of this incident. A squad car camera captured portions of the incident. BCA agents are reviewing all available video as part of the active investigation.

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