Routine Traffic Stop on Highway 61 Ends in Witnessed Suicide
#LSN_Crime Cook County
COOK COUNTY, MINNESOTA - June 11, 2018 (LSN) 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.
-30-