ST PAUL – The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the subject and officers involved in a police use-of-force incident on April 10th in Granite Falls. 26-year-old William Schindler of Granite Falls was not injured when officers served a warrant for his arrest.
The BCA’s investigation determined that Willmar Police officer Jason Hay fired his department handgun. Hay has 14 years of law enforcement experience and is on standard administrative leave.
A Swift County deputy also fired his handgun during the incident. The BCA is prohibited from identifying the deputy due to them working in an undercover capacity.
A search warrant was executed just after 4:00 p.m. on April 10th at the home of Schindler in Granite Falls. A person opened the door for officers, who announced who they were and why they were there. Officers attempted to enter the home and were met by gunfire. Hay and the Swift County deputy returned fire. Hay was struck by a bullet as he was retreating from the home. Nobody else was injured in the exchange of gunfire.
After a standoff that lasted more than an hour, Schindler surrendered and was arrested without incident.
Crime scene personnel recovered evidence from inside the home including multiple firearms and spent cartridge casings. The investigation is ongoing.