Suspect Who Killed Pope County Deputy Joshua Owen ID’d

(KNSI) – Officials have released the name of a man who shot and killed a Pope County Deputy over the weekend.

The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office identified 34-year-old Bryan Nygard as the man killed during an exchange of gunfire with police in Cyrus. According to investigators, around 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, a deputy responded to a domestic violence call at an apartment.

Deputy Joshua Owen and another officer were called to the scene a short time later. They entered the home and spoke to Nygard and a woman when they arrived. They informed Nygard that he was under arrest.

Nygard allegedly stood up from a table, drew a handgun and began firing. Owen and another officer returned fire. Nygard died at the scene. Owen was taken to the hospital with three gunshot wounds and died.

The woman living with Nygard had left the apartment before the shooting and was not injured.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says they recovered a pistol, bullets and cartridge casings at the scene. All three officers were wearing their body cameras. BCA agents are reviewing the video as part of the ongoing investigation. It will be redacted and released to the public once the case is closed.

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

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