BCA identifies people involved in Willmar force incident

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has confirmed the identity of the man a Willmar police officer shot Feb. 4 during an incident in Willmar. Jerry Jones, 33, of Willmar was shot multiple times and is currently hospitalized in stable condition.

The BCA has also identified the Willmar police officer who shot Jones.

• Michael Holme fired his department handgun. He has 17 years of law enforcement experience.

According to the preliminary investigation, Holme was responding to a report Sunday morning of someone being threatened with a knife. After he arrived, Holme was speaking to the person who called 911 when Jones rapidly approached him, holding a utility knife. Holme backed away while ordering Jones to drop the knife, but Jones continued to run toward him brandishing the knife. Holme fell backwards onto the ground. Jones was standing over him, slashing at him with the knife when Holme fired his gun. Jones ran away after being shot and was arrested two blocks away. Officers provided medical care until Jones could be taken to the hospital for treatment. Holme suffered minor injuries during the incident.

BCA crime scene personnel recovered a utility knife at the scene. Holme was wearing a body camera that captured the incident. BCA agents are reviewing all available video as part of the active investigation.

The Willmar Police Department asked the BCA to investigate this incident. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without a charging recommendation to the Kandiyohi County Attorney’s Office for review.