The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the officers who used force during an officer involved shooting incident that happened on Friday, Jan. 8, in Robbinsdale. Both officers are on standard administrative leave.

• Sergeant Brian Sloat has been with the Robbindsdale Police Department for 17 years. He discharged his firearm during the incident.
• Officer John Tomczik has been with the department for one and a half years. He discharged his Taser during the incident.

In addition, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man who died during the incident. Brian Eugene Andren, 47, of Ramsey, Minn., died of multiple gunshot wounds.

The BCA is investigating the officer involved shooting at the request of the Robbinsdale Police Department.

Officers located Andren at a gas station on the 3600 block of Noble Ave. N. after spotting his vehicle nearby and determining that he was the subject of a felony warrant out of South Dakota.

Andren fled the gas station with officers in pursuit. Officers used the PIT maneuver to stop Andren’s vehicle on the 3700 block of Noble Ave. N.

Andren exited the vehicle holding a knife. He ignored officers’ commands to drop the knife and the Taser deployment was ineffective. Andren then ran at the officers, after which Sergeant Sloat discharged his firearm, striking Andren. Officers rendered medical aid, but Andren died at the scene. A female passenger who was in the car during the pursuit was uninjured. No officers were injured.

BCA crime scene personnel recovered a knife at the scene. The incident was captured on body cameras and squad dash cameras.

The BCA investigation is active and ongoing. When the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without recommendation to the Anoka County Attorney’s Office for review.