INJURED DEPUTY IDENTIFIED

On Friday, August 7th, 2015 at approximately 5:30PM the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office responded to a call for assistance from the Red Lake Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation who were engaged in a pursuit with a reported armed suspect following an assault that took place on the Red Lake Reservation. The pursuit entered Beltrami County and Beltrami County Sheriff’s Deputies along with Minnesota State Troopers assisted in the apprehension of the suspect.

Beltrami County Deputies and Minnesota State Patrol Troopers attempted to deploy tire deflation devices unsuccessfully at MN Highway 89 and Grange Rd NW. A second successful attempt was performed at MN Highway 89 and Buzzle Rd NW. At Highway 89 near Aure Rd NW, pursuing deputies were able to execute a pursuit intervention technique maneuver (PIT maneuver) and successfully terminated the pursuit. With the suspect vehicle blocked in, the suspect made an attempt to further flee by rapidly accelerating the vehicle in reverse. A Beltrami County Deputy was struck by the vehicle resulting in serious injury.

Beltrami County Deputy David Hart, an eight year veteran with the Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office serving as a Deputy and Corrections Officer, was transported by North Memorial Air Ambulance to North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale. Deputy Hart was listed in stable condition following the incident.

The suspect, Nodin Makwa age 20 of Red Lake, remains in custody pending formal charges. The Minnesota State Patrol, Federal Bureau of Investigation and Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are leading the ongoing investigation.

Sheriff Phil Hodapp

Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office