Andrew Scott Dale : Officer Identifies Man with Hatchet: Fatal Shooting.

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File photograph of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. (FOX 9)

CROOKSTON, Minn. (FOX 9) – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has unveiled fresh details, disclosing the identities of the officials involved and the individual who was fatally injured in the use-of-force occurrence in Crookston, Minn. on May 16.

As per the BCA, 35-year-old Andrew Scott Dale passed away due to multiple gunshot wounds following an altercation with law enforcement.

The officials involved in the occurrence were recognised as follows:

• Crookston Police Officer Nick Fladland discharged his departmental firearm and possesses five years of law enforcement experience. He is presently on critical incident leave.
• Crookston Police Officer Alex Rudnik deployed his Taser during the occurrence and has a decade of law enforcement experience.
• Polk County Sheriff’s Deputy Matt Benge utilised 40 mm foam less-lethal rounds and has five years of law enforcement experience.

The BCA reported that just before 1 a.m., Dale was walking in the roadway with a hatchet when they encountered him. The officers subsequently engaged with Dale, who then advanced towards the officers wielding the hatchet.

Officers Rudnik and Benge attempted to subdue Dale with less-lethal rounds, however, the BCA stated that these were ineffective. Officer Fladland proceeded to discharge his firearm at Dale, striking him multiple times.

Despite the officers’ efforts to save his life, Dale passed away later at the hospital, according to the BCA.

The BCA mentioned that its investigators recovered a hatchet and cartridge casings at the scene, adding that footage from body cameras worn by the officers during the occurrence will be scrutinised as part of the investigation.

The BCA declared that upon concluding the investigation, its findings will be presented to the Polk County Attorney’s Office, without a recommendation for charges, for assessment.