GRAND RAPIDS — An 18-year-old initially accused of shooting an Itasca County Sheriff’s deputy has yet to be charged three weeks after the incident.
Elias Harper allegedly scuffled with Deputy Michael Cowan on May 4, as sheriff’s deputies attempted to serve an arrest warrant in Max in rural northwestern Itasca County.
Cowan was shot in the leg during the scuffle, and the incident was initially investigated as an officer-involved shooting. Four days later, the sheriff’s office said an investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension found Cowan did not discharge his weapon and that the incident was instead being investigated as a "conflict case.”
The BCA's investigation is ongoing. Investigations of this nature can take several weeks to several months.
Sheriff Joe Dasovich said Friday, May 22, that Harper is still expected to be charged in the incident. Harper has a sentencing hearing for other cases in early June. Dasovich said he expects the new charges to be added or amended by then.
Itasca County Attorney Jacob Fauchald could not confirm Dasovich’s timeline. He said his office has not yet received any evidence from the BCA.
After the BCA investigation concludes, it is standard practice for the agency to send its findings to the attorney's office, though the BCA does not make charging recommendations.
Harper remains in the Itasca County Jail.
Dasovich said Cowan is still recovering at home and is expected to make a full recovery. He does not yet have a return to work date.
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Anyone who may have seen Rikki Skog, 37, on or after July 15, 2026, or with information that may assist investigators, is asked to contact the Itasca County Sheriff's Office.
