GRAND RAPIDS — The Itasca County Sheriff’s Office on Friday, May 8, identified the deputy who was injured in a shooting incident on May 4.
Deputy Michael Cowan’s gun fired while in his holster, striking him in the thigh, according to a news release from the sheriff's office.
Cowan was executing an arrest warrant at a home in Max, northwest of Deer River, at the time. According to the sheriff’s office, Elias Harper, 18, resisted arrest, and the gun fired during the ensuing struggle.
Cowan was airlifted to Duluth and returned home Tuesday.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was brought in to investigate.
The sheriff’s office stated the BCA investigation found that Cowan did not discharge his weapon. The incident is now being called a “conflict case.” The investigation is ongoing, according to the release.
Cowan has been with the office since 2017.
Deputies were wearing body-worn cameras during the incident, and the footage was shared with the BCA for review.
Harper was in court Wednesday for a violation hearing but has not been charged separately in the incident as of Friday.
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