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East Grand Forks undercover officer who killed man in Rhinehart Township was not wearing body camera

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed that Lucas Paul Gilbertson was killed by multiple gunshot wounds. The officer's identity is protected due to his undercover status.

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In this Herald file photo, area law enforcement block 445th Avenue SW in Rhinehart Township, located in Polk County, Minnesota, on Jan. 9, 2024, after East Grand Forks resident Lucas Gilbertson was shot by law enforcement.
Sav Kelly / Grand Forks Herald

POLK COUNTY, Minn. — The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed in a Friday afternoon press release that an East Grand Forks man was killed by multiple gunshot wounds on Tuesday, Jan. 9, at a Rhinehart Township residence.

The identity of the man — 42-year-old Lucas Paul Gilbertson — had already been released by his family, but UND's Forensic Pathology Center has since confirmed the identity as well.

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The identity of the officer who tased and shot Gilbertson, though, is protected by Minnesota Statute 13.82 subd. 17(a) — identities of undercover law enforcement do not have to be released.

That officer was not wearing a body camera, according to the BCA, and according to the release, there is not believed to be footage of the shooting.

"There is body-worn and squad camera video from this incident, but not of the shooting itself," the release said. "The officer who used force was not wearing a body camera."

The BCA did confirm that the officer is a member of the Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force and has been placed on standard administrative leave.

Law enforcement determined that Gilbertson was at the residence outside of East Grand Forks that day and officers went to arrest him just before noon, according to the release.

Pine to Prairie Task Force members surrounded the home to prevent Gilbertson from fleeing and, at one point, the unidentified officer entered the residence. He encountered Gilbertson, deployed his Taser, and fired his handgun at him multiple times, striking him, the release said.

During the incident, Gilbertson broke a window and threw a handgun outside, according to the BCA. Crime scene personnel later found a handgun outside the residence.

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Law enforcement provided medical care to Gilbertson until he was transported to the hospital, where he died.

No one else was injured during the incident, the release said.

The incident is still under investigation. All available video is being reviewed. After the investigation is completed, the BCA will provide its findings to the Polk County Attorney's Office.

Sav Kelly joined the Grand Forks Herald in August 2022.

Kelly covers public safety, including regional crime and the courts system.

Readers can reach Kelly at (701) 780-1102 or skelly@gfherald.com.
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