The Pope County attorney has ruled that Deputy Brody Merrill’s use of force during a deadly shootout [1] with domestic assault suspect Bryan Nygard in April was justified.
Image Credit: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Screenshot [2]
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Posted By RVM News Staff On In Law Enforcement,News | 2 CommentsThe Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reported that Nygard fired first, leading to return fire from deputies Merrill and Josh Owen.
Nygard died at the scene, while Deputy Owen passed away later in the hospital from injuries sustained in the exchange. Deputy Merrill, who was briefly hospitalized, will not face charges.
Starbuck police officer Alex Olson was also injured but not hospitalized during the incident.
Pope County Attorney Neil Nelson stated, “I have determined that the use of force by Deputy Brody Merrill was justified and entirely lawful.”
Nelson praised the quick and heroic actions of Deputies Owen and Merrill in neutralizing the threat posed by the suspect.