Local News

Itasca County deputy shot while responding to call near S. Lake

KAXE | By Megan Buffington

Published May 4, 2026 at 5:18 PM CDT

The deputy was shot May 4, 2026, on a call in Max, northwest of Deer River and east of S. Lake. The suspect is in custody, and the incident is under investigation.

DEER RIVER — An Itasca County sheriff’s deputy was shot in Max on Monday, May 4.

The deputy was responding to a call in the small community about 20 miles northwest of Deer River and 4 miles east of S. Lake.

Sheriff Joe Dasovich said in a brief interview Monday evening that the deputy was airlifted to a Duluth hospital and was in stable condition.

The suspect involved is in custody, according to a Monday evening news release from the sheriff’s office, and there is no ongoing threat to the public.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will investigate the incident, per standard protocol. The release stated the sheriff's office is fully cooperating.

No additional details, including identities of the deputy or alleged shooter, were released "out of respect for the integrity of the investigation."

"We ask the community to keep our deputy, their family, and all those affected by this incident in their thoughts," the release stated.

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