A routine traffic stop turned deadly in New Ulm on Tuesday evening. The New Ulm Police Department had a vehicle stopped for a traffic violation, when the adult male driver of the vehicle became non-compliant. During the encounter, the driver then became combative. A struggle ensued between the driver and the police offers on the scene, and the driver produced a handgun that had been in his possession. The struggle ended with the driver using his own weapon to fire on himself. The driver was transported by ambulance to a local hospital. From there, he was transported to a medical facility in the Twin Cities metro area. Reports following the event indicate the driver had injuries that proved fatal.
All New Ulm Police Department officers on the scene were wearing body cameras that recorded everything. At this time, those images are being analyzed and have not been released at the time of this report. The identity of the driver involved is being withheld pending notification of family. This incident remains under investigation by the New Ulm Police Department with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
We will update with the latest information as we receive it.