Crime

Underage Alcohol Party Ends In Fatal Hit-And-Run

SAND LAKE, Wis. — A teenage girl is dead after a hit-and-run related to an underage alcohol party, according to the Sawyer County Sheriff’s Office. The crime happened just before 7 a.m. Aug. 19. Kaylie Schwingle, 18, of Chippewa Falls Wisconsin was run over by a 16-year-old boy driving a Ford F-350. Officials said the victim was sitting along Snowmobile…

Father Of The Veteran Who Was Shot And Killed By Duluth Police Says Death Was Avoidable; Police Video Released

DULUTH, Minn. – Body camera footage has been released involving a February officer-involved shooting that killed a Duluth veteran. Last week, that officer was cleared of any charges after an outside investigation. And now, the man’s father tells FOX 21 deadly force could have easily been avoided. Zachary Shogren We begin with the Feb. 24 encounter that lead up to…

Rep. Stauber Meets With Northland Law Enforcement Officials Over Fentanyl Crisis

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Fentanyl has become an increasing problem in the Northland with 26 overdose deaths just alone this year. Wednesday, Congressman Pete Stauber met with St. Louis County Sheriff Gordon Rasmay, Lake County Chief Deputy Timothy Louma, Hermantown Chief of Police Jim Crace, and other law enforcement officials to discuss the problems, roadblocks, and possible solutions. As of August…

Makinen Woman In Jail For Allegedly Starting House Fire

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Minn. — One woman is in jail after allegedly starting a house on fire in the Makinen area. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says authorities responded to a disturbance call early Tuesday morning. When officers arrived, they found a woman standing in a field by the house. After initial investigation a woodpile under a lean-to was…

Car Crash Kills Gustavus Hockey Player, Injures 3 Teammates

(FOX 9) – A two-vehicle collision in western Minnesota left three members of the Gustavus Adolphus College women’s hockey team injured and another teammate dead Sunday afternoon. The crash occurred around 12:40 p.m. at the intersection of Highway 29 and Highway in Grace Township, approximately 50 miles from the South Dakota border, according to the Minnesota State Patrol. The four Gustavus hockey…

Dramatic Video Footage Shows Shooting Ambush In Fargo That Killed An Officer Last Month

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — Dramatic video footage of a shooting ambush last month in Fargo that left one police officer dead and two others and a bystander wounded was shown Thursday, highlighting the surprise nature of the attack on police responding to a routine traffic crash. North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley and Fargo Police Chief David Zibolski presented the…

DOJ Investigating Fatal Shooting Involving Ashland County Sheriff’s Deputy

TOWN OF MORSE, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Justice is investigating a fatal officer-involved shooting in the Town of Morse in Ashland County. The incident happened around 6 p.m. Tuesday in the 33000 block of N. Foley Road. Upon arrival, deputies with the Ashland County Sheriff’s Office witnessed a male assaulting two adult females with a “bladed weapon,” according…

Duluth Public Info. Meeting Wed. About ‘Armored Rescue Vehicle’ Purchase

DULUTH, Minn. — Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa and his team will hold a community informational meeting Wednesday about the possible purchase of an Armored Rescue Vehicle. The meeting is happening from 5:30 p.m. until 7 p.m. at the Evergreen Senior Center. Chief Ceynowa told FOX 21 it’s time to invest in the life-saving tool and stop borrowing Superior’s Armored…

Trump Indicted For Efforts To Overturn 2020 Presidential Election In Georgia

ATLANTA (AP) — A Georgia grand jury that has been investigating former President Donald Trump over his efforts to undo that state’s 2020 election results arrived at a frenzied conclusion late Monday, returning indictments even as prosecutors offered no clarity about who had been charged and for what. The existence of indictments became apparent around 9 p.m., when the Fulton…

Superior School Board Member Resigns Amid Election Fraud Charges

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Embattled Superior School Board member Steven Stupak resigned Monday morning amid election fraud charges against him. Board President Steve Olson confirmed the resignation at Monday night’s board meeting. It was not immediately known Monday night what the board’s process will be moving forward with the vacant seat. Stupak’s announcement comes just one week after former school board…

Duluth Investigator Cleared Of Charges In Feb. Fatal Shooting

Scene of February shooting DULUTH, Minn. — Charges will not be filed against a Duluth police officer who shot and killed a suspect earlier this year. The shooting happened Feb. 24, 2023 in an alley on the 1500 block of East Third Street during a felony arrest for threats of violence. Investigators said shots were fired after Zachary Shogren, 34,…

Duluth Police Dept. Plans To Purchase Armored Vehicle, Stop Borrowing Superior’s

DULUTH, Minn. – Duluth Police Chief Mike Ceynowa is looking to make his biggest investment yet since becoming chief nearly one year ago – the purchase of an Armored Rescue Vehicle.  Ceynowa says it’s a safety tool his department should no longer be borrowing from the Superior Police Department, as FOX 21’s Dan Hanger reports. From schools, to supermarkets, to…

Pine County Sheriff’s Office Investigating Death Of 3-Year-Old

HINCKLEY, Minn. — The Pine County Sheriff’s Office is investigating the death of a 3-year-old in Hinckley. Authorities say just after 9 p.m. Tuesday deputies responded to a medical incident on the 500 block of 1st Street Southwest. When they arrived, they learned a young child died. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting with the investigation. The Sheriff’s…

Hibbing Man Pleads Guilty In 2022 Murder Of His Girlfriend

HIBBING, Minn. — A Hibbing man has pleaded guilty to murdering his girlfriend in June 2022. The St. Louis County Attorney’s Office says 47-year-old Eric James Jarvis entered the plea to First Degree Manslaughter in connection to the death of Kari Jo Petrich. Police arrested Jarvis after he called 911 early Tuesday morning, June 28. When police arrived, his girlfriend,…

Former School Board Members Speak Out Against Steven Stupak After Felony Charges

SUPERIOR, Wis.– “We the undersigned have all read this letter and given permission to adhere to our names to be attached. We strongly urge you to move forward with filling the vacant seat and restore integrity to the Superior School Board,” said Rob Morehouse, representing 14 former school board members. Former school board members wrote a letter to the current…

Tou Thao Sentenced To Over 4 Years For His Role In George Floyd’s Killing

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The fourth and final former Minneapolis police officer charged for his role in George Floyd’s murder was sentenced in court on Monday. Tou Thao was sentenced to 57 months (4.75 years) in prison with credit for 340 days served on Monday, just three months after he was found guilty of aiding and abetting manslaughter of Floyd’s death. Judge Peter Cahill shared his frustration with…

Two Men Charged With Second-Degree Murder

  DULUTH, Minn. — Second-degree murder charges along with two other felony charges have been filed against the men who allegedly fired the shots that killed 19-year-old Paris Allen and injured another in Duluth on Wednesday. The two men are identified as 21-year-old Sanussi Bangoura and 25-year-old Brandon Williams-Gillard. They each face the same three charges: Aid & Abet Murder…

Man Dead After Being Hit By Bayfield Police Department Squad Car

BAYFIELD, Wis. — A man is dead after being hit by a Bayfield Police Department squad car Wednesday night. The Bayfield County Sheriff’s Office says it happened at 10:21 p.m. on State Trunk Highway 13 at West Bresette Hill Road. Authorities say deputies responded after the collision happened and found the pedestrian dead. The Ashland County Sheriff’s Office is investigating,…

Former Hermantown PTO Treasurer Charged With Seven Felonies

DULUTH, Minn. — The former Treasurer for the Hermantown Parent Teacher Organization has been charged with seven felonies for allegedly stealing more than $100 thousand dollars. 43-year-old Trista Irene Swanson allegedly stole $103,017 between 2109 and 2022. Charges say she wrote checks to herself, used the PTO’s debit card, and made unauthorized personal purchases. The statement of probable cause states…

Duluth Motorcyclist Slammed Against Concrete Wall in Hit-&-Run

Erik Reinertsen DULUTH, Minn. — An Esko man is accused of drinking and driving before hitting a motorcyclist on Lake Avenue over I-35 Saturday evening. The criminal complaint says Erik Reinertsen, 34, was driving his truck from Canal Park to the I-35 southbound ramp when he struck the motorcyclist who was thrown into a concrete barrier. The unidentified victim suffered…

Hermantown P.D. Releases First Details In July 25 Road-Rage Attack It Calls ‘Altercation’

HERMANTOWN, Minn. — Seven days after a violent road-rage attack of a 73-year-old man in Hermantown, the police department released its first news release Tuesday on the incident because the department says the investigation is now complete. Aug. 1 press release The release did not mention the suspect’s name, sex or age.  It also did not say anything about the…

Initial Suspect Cleared In Attack Near Superior Baseball Game

DULUTH, Minn. — Charges have been dropped against a man accused of cutting up a member of the Superior Youth Organization during a game last week, according to the Douglas County District Attorney’s Office. The incident happened around 6:30 p.m. July 20 in a wooded area near the Hayes Court Complex baseball fields. The victim said he heard what sounded…

Amber Alert Canceled for 2-Year-Old in Becker

  UPDATE: Authorities have canceled the Amber Alert that was issued last night for a 2-year-old boy in Becker. The alert notified people of missing 2-year-old, Liam Henrikson, who was reported to have gone missing near highways 10 and 25 just before midnight Saturday night. According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Becker Police Department was looking for…

Mall Of America Shooter Sentenced For Firing Inside Nike Store After Dispute

BLOOMINGTON, Minn. (FOX 9) – A man has been sentenced for his role in the 2022 shooting inside the Nike store at the Mall of America that happened following a dispute that began at the checkout register. Shamar Alon Ramon Lark, 21, was charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, intentional discharge of a firearm that endangers safety and carrying a pistol in…

Superior School Board Member Charged With Election Fraud

SUPERIOR, Wis. — A Superior School Board member has been charged with two felony counts of election fraud. Steven J Stupak Sr. allegedly provided false information in election filing, and to an election clerk. The charges are outlined in a criminal complaint filed in Douglas County last Thursday. One charge says that when he filed for office, Stupak’s sworn declaration…

Multiple Arrests Made After Two-Year-Old Overdosed in Aitkin County

AITKIN COUNTY, Minn. –Friday, a two-year-old was reported to be unresponsive after being exposed to a controlled substance in Aitkin County.  Family members called 911 from a vehicle in the Garrison area after removing the child from the household. The child was transported to Metro hospital by air ambulance and is in stable condition. Aitkin County Sheriffs executed a search…

Former Cloquet Police Officer Charged With Financially Exploiting Vulnerable Adult

CLOQUET, MINN. — A former Cloquet Police Officer has been charged with financially exploiting a vulnerable adult Laci Marie Silgjord has been charged with taking advantage of a woman who she met as a police officer. She Visited the woman regularly and presented herself to the bank as the victim’s fiduciary, despite not having the legal authority to do this When…

Update: Superior Police Investigate ‘Possible Knifing’

SUPERIOR, Wis. — Superior police are investigating what they call a “possible knifing” incident Thursday evening during the Superior Youth Organization’s baseball games. The call for help came in around 6:30 p.m. for a report of an altercation that had occurred in a wooded area about “50 yards to the west of the Hayes Court Complex Baseball Fields located off…

Man Who Ambushed Fargo Officers Searched Online For ‘Kill Fast’ And For Crowded Area Events, AG Says

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The man who shot three Fargo police officers and a civilian, killing one of the officers before an officer killed him, searched the internet for terms including “explosive ammo” and “kill fast,” as well as for what crowded area events might be happening in and around North Dakota’s largest city, authorities said Friday. Mohamad Barakat, 37,…

Man Dead After ATV Crash In Barnum Township

BARNUM TOWNSHIP, Minn. — One man is dead after an ATV crash that happened Thursday night in Carlton County. The Carlton County Sheriff’s Office says it happened in the 3500 block of Pine Road in Barnum Township at 7:52 p.m. Police say a motorist noticed the crash and called 911. The initial investigation reveals that a man was driving an…

Fargo Police Officer Justified In Using Deadly Force Against Gunman, State Attorney General Says

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — The man who shot Fargo police officers — one fatally — last week had 1,800 rounds, multiple guns and a homemade hand grenade in his vehicle, officials said Wednesday. Mohamad Barakat, 37, opened fired on officers while they were responding to a traffic wreck Friday in south Fargo, authorities said. Officer Jake Wallin was killed, and…

Train Derails North Of Cook

FIELD TOWNSHIP, Minn. — A train derailed in Field Township just North of Cook Monday night sending 9 rail cars off the tracks. The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office says deputies and the Cook Fire Department responded at 8:20 p.m. to the Canadian National Train. Authorities say 4 cars remained upright and 5 on their side. 2 of the cars…

Ely Man Dies In Single Vehicle Crash

ELY, Minn. — An Ely man lost his life after a single vehicle crash Monday night. It happened around 5:40 p.m. in the 2100 block of Grant Mcmahan Boulevard in Morse Township. St. Louis County Sheriff’s deputies assisted by other local departments responded to the crash that was traveling eastbound. The car went off the roadway into the ditch and…

Duluth Police Search For Man With ‘Potential Risk To The Public’

Trevor Billings DULUTH, Minn. – The Duluth Police Department is searching for a suspect they considered a “potential risk to the public.” Trevor Billings has active warrants out for his arrest, according to police. “We are concerned for his safety and well-being,” said Mattie Hjelseth, public information office for the police department.  “Trevor poses a potential risk to the public…

Virginia Murder Suspect: “I Woke Up From A Dream And Was Told To Shoot My Brother”

VIRGINIA, Minn. — An attempted murder charge has been filed against a Virginia man accused of shooting his brother in the head. According to the criminal complaint, Robert Cope, 30, told authorities he “…woke up from a dream and was told to shoot my brother.” The shooting happened around 10:20 a.m. July 8 at a residence on 9th Street South…

Levi Axtell, Who Admits Killing a Grand Marais Man, Found Incompetent to Stand Trial

COOK COUNTY, MINN. — The Grand Marais man charged with killing a 77-year-old-man in a home invasion earlier this year, has been declared incompetent to stand trial. Judge Michael Cuzzo ‘s decision comes just days after 27-year-old Levi Axtell was civilly committed. The commitment was based on Cook County Public Health and Human Services’ determination that Axtell is a mentally…

Fisherman’s Body Recovered From Leech Lake

WALKER, Minn. — The Cass County Sheriff’s Office says the body of a fisherman was recovered from Leech Lake on Tuesday. The Sheriff’s Office received a report at 5:49 p.m. Monday of an overdue fisherman who was fishing near his residence near Walker. Deputies searched the area where they later found his boat just after 8:15 p.m. The body of…

Man Gets Lengthy Sentence For Fatal Shooting Of Minnesota Girl Who Was Jumping On Trampoline

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A man was sentenced Tuesday to more than 37 years in prison for fatally shooting a 9-year-old Minnesota girl as she was jumping on a trampoline with friends. D’Pree Shareef Robinson, 20, pleaded guilty in March to second-degree murder in the 2021 death of Trinity Ottoson-Smith, the Minneapolis Star Tribune reported. He later tried unsuccessfully to withdraw the guilty…