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St. Paul, Minn.

Sheriff: Man shot by deputies fired handgun

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Authorities in Sherburne County said the 47-year-old man who was fatally shot last week by two sheriff's deputies fired a handgun during the confrontation.

Sheriff Joel Brott said Friday that Dana Dempsey of Big Lake displayed and fired a revolver before the deputies returned fire outside the Sherburne County Government Center in Elk River last Friday.

Dempsey was taken to Mercy Hospital in Coon Rapids, where he was pronounced dead. Neither of the deputies was injured.

Sheriff's Capt. Dan Andren and Court Security Deputy Nicole Stottlemyre remain on paid administrative leave while the Elk River Police Department and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension finish their investigation.

Brott didn't give many details about events that led up to the shooting, describing the situation as "an isolated incident that pertained to the personal problems of one individual." Dempsey was scheduled to attend a hearing in Sherburne District Court when he became confrontational.

Brott said it doesn't appear Dempsey ever brought the handgun inside the building, and he said the government center, which houses the jail, courtrooms and administrative offices, is secure.

Nevertheless, Brott said he plans to put together a committee of county employees to review security measures.