PRINCETON, Minn. — Two officers have been released from the hospital, while three others continue to be treated for gunshot wounds after they were fired on while executing a search warrant near Princeton Thursday morning.
Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck said in a press conference Thursday afternoon that those shot are members of the Sherburne County Drug Task Force: Three of the victims are Sherburne County sheriff's deputies, while the other two officers are investigators with the Princeton and Elk River Police Departments. Heck said because they were all working undercover, their names will not be released.
As of 3:30 p.m. Thursday, Heck said two sheriff's deputies who had been shot in their bullet proof vests had been released from North Memorial Medical Center, while three others remained hospitalized. Heck said their injuries are non-life-threatening.
According to law enforcement, the incident began around 7 a.m., as task force members executed a search warrant on the 200 block of 190th Avenue East in Glendorado Township, about 15 miles west of Princeton. Shortly after they arrived, gunfire was exchanged with the suspect, a 64-year-old man, who Heck said also ultimately suffered non-life-threatening injuries during the confrontation.
Heck went on to say that just before 11 a.m. and after several rounds of negotiations with the suspect, he was taken into custody without further incident. Authorities say the man was taken to the hospital where he continues to be treated, but the extent and cause of his injuries is also currently unknown.
"This has been a difficult day for us in Benton County," Heck said. "We are grateful the incident did not result in loss of life or further injury."
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) Special Agent in Charge Michelle Frascone joined Heck at Thursday's press conference, saying the scene is still "very active" as investigators try to establish a timeline of events leading up to the shooting. Frascone said the BCA is reviewing footage from body-worn, squad and other cameras provided to law enforcement.
"We know incidents like that one that happened today can be scary and unsettling for the community," she said. "We want everybody to know we are working as quickly as possible to provide answers."
Frascone said the BCA will release more information when its preliminary investigation is complete.
Images of the incident scene from SKY 11 Thursday morning showed a small home and several outbuildings just off the road, and a yard cluttered with trailers, old vehicles and other objects. Law enforcement vehicles and personnel were also seen surrounding the property.
Just after 10:48 a.m., a video from SKY 11 showed a shirtless man outside the home being shot by a non-lethal round and then apprehended with help from a K9 officer. He was placed on a stretcher and transported to a checkpoint, then loaded into a medivac helicopter.
WATCH: SKY 11: 5 officers shot in 'critical incident' near Princeton
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) will conduct the investigation into the incident, which is commonplace in the case of a complex shooting.
Sheriff Heck said there is currently no danger to the general public.
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