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Boreal Community Media

Routine Traffic Stop on Highway 61 Ends in Witnessed Suicide

Jun 10, 2018 09:23PM ● By Editor
Media release from the Cook County Sheriff's Office - June 11, 2018

At approximately 9:15 am, a Cook County Sheriff’s Office Deputy attempted to pull a vehicle over for a speed violation east of Schroeder Minnesota around the Temperance River area. The vehicle pulled onto the shoulder and slowed. The vehicle continued to drive forward at a very low rate of speed. At approximately 9:17 am, as the vehicle was coming to a stop, the driver displayed a handgun and turned the weapon on himself. As the Deputy was coming to a stop, he witnessed the driver’s side window of the dark green Jeep shatter and the driver slump over in the vehicle. On approach of the vehicle, the 43-year-old male driver from Winsted, Minnesota, was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head. 

“Today was a tragic day for all involved,” said Sheriff Pat Eliasen.

Inside the vehicle, a quickly-written, brief note with contact information for family members was and an apology to the police was found. The deceased’s family has been notified.

It is unknown why the deceased was in Cook County, but is believed to have been camping out of his vehicle for last several days in the area.

An autopsy will be conducted by the Anoka County Medical Examiner. The Cook County Sheriff’s Office received assistance on scene from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minnesota State Patrol and the US Border Patrol.     

 No further information is available at this time.

Contact:  Valerie Marasco, Public Information Officer/Director – Office of Emergency Management & Public Information, mobile 218-387-5366 or [email protected]


Boreal Editors' Note:  Know the symptoms and signs to prevent suicide.  Follow this link to read more about suicide prevention on the Boreal Emergency Preparedness Portal.

http://www.boreal-emergency.org/2018/06/11/174946/know-the-signs-symptoms-to-prevent-suicide

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