MALE ARRESTED, THREE COUNTS OF 2ND DEGREE ASSAULT

On February 12th, 2024, at approximately 1:30AM, Beltrami County Deputies responded to the 600 block of Nordic Ave NW, for a report of a male party armed with a knife and holding a syringe to another individual’s neck. The male party was identified by the caller as Jerod Beaulieu, and it was identified that he had an active warrant for his arrest.

Upon arrival to the residence, Deputies observed Beaulieu standing on the deck of the residence holding a large knife and a machete. Beaulieu appeared to be in an altered state of mind from controlled substances. Deputies informed Beaulieu that he was under arrest and began negotiating with him to drop the knives. Deputies used de-escalation techniques without success and requested negotiators to respond to the scene, along with Bemidji Ambulance Service.

During negotiations with Beaulieu, he struck the deck with the machete aggressively and threatened to run towards deputies on scene. After almost 15 minutes of negotiations, Beaulieu jumped over the railing of the deck and charged Deputies, still armed with the knife and machete.

A Deputy was able to deploy a “Pepper Ball” gun on Beaulieu, hitting him multiple times over his body. Beaulieu fell to the ground and was taken into custody. After being evaluated at the scene by ambulance personnel, Beaulieu was booked into Beltrami County Adult Correctional Facility on numerous charges and his outstanding warrant.

In a situation where deadly force would have been justified, Deputies were able to use their training, teamwork, and restraint to end the situation without any serious injuries to the subject or law enforcement.

On February 13th, 2024, Beaulieu was arraigned in Beltrami County District Court on three counts of second-degree assault. Beaulieu remains in custody at the Beltrami County Adult Correctional Facility.

No further information will be released at this time.

-Sheriff Jason Riggs