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Martin Moylan

Officer, driver identified in fatal Lino Lakes traffic stop shooting

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Updated: May 10, 9:12 a.m. | Posted: May 9, 9:44 a.m.

A Lino Lakes police officer fatally shot the driver of a car after a traffic stop on Interstate 694 late Friday, authorities said.

The shooting occurred about 10:50 p.m. on westbound I-694 at University Avenue in Fridley. Sgt. William Owens, who was working a traffic detail to catch drunk drivers involving several Anoka County law enforcement agencies, stopped the vehicle for speeding, police said.

According to the preliminary investigation, when Owens tried to arrest the driver, Sam Matthew Holmes, 31, of New Brighton, for outstanding warrants and suspicion of driving under the influence, a struggle ensued. Holmes got back into his vehicle and took off, dragging the officer.

Before falling to the roadway, Owens fired his gun at the vehicle, which left the highway, went through a fence and stopped in a nearby Cub Foods parking lot, according to the investigation.

Holmes died at the scene. Owens, a nine-year veteran of the Lino Lakes Police Department, was injured, taken to a local hospital for treatment and later released.

The Midwest Medical Examiner's Office in Anoka is conducting an autopsy and will determine Holmes' cause and manner of death.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the Minnesota State Patrol, the Anoka County Sheriff's Office, and the Fridley and Lino Lakes police departments are investigating.