CROOKSTON, Minn. — According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the same Crookston officer involved in a fatal shooting in May was at another scene involving police use-of-force in June.
On May 16, the BCA said officers came upon Andrew Scott Dale, 35, walking along the road with a hatchet. When police made contact with Dale, they said he ran toward police while still holding the hatchet. Two officers, Officer Alex Rudnik and Deputy Matt Benge use less-lethal force but said it was ineffective. Officer Nick Fladland fired his department handgun and hit Dale multiple times.
Dale later died at the hospital.
The BCA said the investigation into this incident is still open and active.
Officer Fladland was also present at a June 30 use-of-force incident in Crookston. The BCA said Crookston police and Polk County Sheriff's deputies responded to reports of a fight at a homeless shelter.
When officers arrived, they made contact with Christopher Ryan Junkin, 44. Officials said Junkin was breaking furniture and other items. Police said Junkin ignored their verbal commands to stop and put his hands behind his back.
The BCA said all three officers responding attempted less-lethal methods to stop Junkin. Officers said they backed down and hallway and Junkin followed them. Officer Fladland fired his handgun and hit Junkin, who died at the scene.
Officer Fladland was placed on critical incident leave following the June 30 incident, according to the BCA.
KARE 11 has reached out to Crookston Police for comment.
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