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Crime, Law and Justice
Kirsti Marohn

BCA identified three officers who used force in Benton County shootout

A Benton County sheriff establishes a security perimeter
A Benton County sheriff establishes a security perimeter at the intersection of 186th Avenue NE and Glendorado Road NE near Princeton, Minn., following a “critical incident” that resulted in the shooting of multiple law enforcement officers on Oct.10.
Tim Evans for MPR News

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Updated 5:47 p.m.

Authorities revealed further about the raid which led to five officers being shot in rural Benton County last week.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified three law enforcement officers who used force during the shootout.

Officers tried to serve a search warrant at a home in Glendorado Township when they were met with gunfire. All of the five officers survived. One remains hospitalized in stable condition.

The BCA says two officers returned fire. They include a Sherburne County sheriff's deputy who works undecover on the drug task force. His name is not being released.

Benton County Deputy Ron Thomas fired his pistol. He has eight years of law enforcement experience.

Sherburne County Patrol Sgt. Austin Turner fired a less-lethal round. He has eight years in law enforcement. All three are on standard administrative leave.

Investigators suspected a Benton County couple was selling methamphetamine before a shootout last week that injured five officers near Princeton. 

According to a search warrant made public this week, a confidential informant tipped off the Sherburne County Drug Task Force alleging that 64-year-old Karl Holmberg and his wife were selling meth.

A member of the task force requested the daytime “knock and announce” warrant on Oct. 4. District Court Judge Robert Raupp approved it the same day.

The warrant alleges that an undercover investigator bought meth from the Holmbergs earlier this year at their home in Glendorado Township. Investigators reportedly also found plastic baggies and other items in the Holmbergs' trash that tested positive for meth.

When officers tried to execute the warrant last Thursday morning, they were met with a volley of gunfire. Five officers sustained injuries not considered life threatening. 

After a standoff that lasted several hours, Karl Holmberg was taken into custody. He was shot in the foot, according to the criminal complaint.

Holmberg faces 12 charges, including six counts of first-degree attempted murder of a police officer and six counts of first-degree assault against a police officer. His next court hearing is Oct. 24.

According to court records, Holmberg was convicted of one felony count of possession of a controlled substance in 1986. In 2006 he was sentenced to 60 days in jail for fifth-degree drug possession.