GRAND RAPIDS — The man accused of shooting an Itasca County sheriff’s deputy Monday, May 4, in Max as the deputy attempted to serve an arrest warrant will remain in custody in the Itasca County Jail.
Elias Alexander Harper, 18, has not been separately charged in the incident as of Wednesday afternoon, though charges are expected.
He appeared in court virtually Wednesday morning for allegedly violating his probation, with the shooting listed among the violations.
The deputy, who has not yet been identified, returned home from the hospital Tuesday and is expected to make a full recovery.
Harper is facing three assault charges for incidents in November and December 2025. He pleaded guilty to two of those charges.
A warrant for his arrest was issued March 23 after he failed to appear for a sentencing hearing.
Deputies were serving that warrant in Max, a small community northwest of Deer River, on Monday. According to the probation violation, Harper allegedly resisted arrest, "resulting in a struggle, during which the deputy was disarmed and subsequently shot” by Harper.
His probation violation notice also alleges he failed to participate in his pretrial release supervision program.
Judge Sarah McBroom revoked Harper’s bail and determined the violations require him to remain in jail.
Sentencing for the assault charges is set for June 4.
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