Arrest of Suspect in Shots Fired Incident

On Thursday, June 16, 2011 at approximately 8:33 PM, the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of gunfire and screaming coming from a residence on Canopy Lane SW, located in Bemidji Township, Beltrami County, approximately 3 miles from Bemidji. Deputies who arrived on scene located a marijuana growing operation outside the residence and evidence of several gunshots having been fired from inside the residence.

Deputies surrounded the residence and unsuccessfully attempted to make contact with any potential occupants. Deputies did not receive any response from within the residence during the time they remained at the scene securing the perimeter. A search warrant was issued for the residence and the Headwaters SWAT team was called to enter and secure the residence.

When the SWAT team arrived, they began hailing the residence again with loudspeakers and, after threatening to deploy tear gas, Jason Earl Patch, age 32, voluntarily surrendered to law enforcement ending the incident peacefully. Officers recovered a pistol, ammunition, drugs and drug manufacture and distribution paraphernalia. Patch remains in custody at the Beltrami County Jail pending a review of potential charges by the County Attorney’s Office.

The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by members of the Bemidji Police Department, Clearwater County Sheriff’s Office, Blackduck Police, Leech Lake Tribal Police, Minnesota State Patrol and US Border Patrol along with standby support from Bemidji Fire and Bemidji Ambulance.