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Man’s death after Taser shock during eviction ruled a homicide

Michael Yanacheak, 75, died from head injuries and a fall he suffered after a Kandiyohi County sheriff's deputy deployed his Taser during a court-ordered eviction.

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WILLMAR — The death of a Willmar man after a Taser was deployed against him during an attempted eviction in January has been ruled a homicide by the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office.

Michael James Yanachea
Michael James Yanacheak
Contributed / PetersonBrothers.com

According to a release of public data from the Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office, Michael Yanacheak’s manner of death was homicide.

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Homicide is generally defined as a death caused by the actions of another person, whether intentional or unintentional. It is not a determination that a criminal act has occurred.

According to the report, the cause of Yanacheak’s death on Jan. 29 was blunt force injuries to his head and a fall after a Taser stun gun was deployed by law enforcement.

Yanacheak was transported for treatment to the CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital, where he died.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the matter. The BCA previously identified Yanacheak and Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Deputy Riley Kampsen as the officer who deployed his Taser.

The BCA previously stated two Kandiyohi County sheriff’s deputies and two Willmar police officers went to Yanacheak’s apartment on the morning of Jan. 29 to perform a court-ordered eviction. Law enforcement tried to persuade Yanacheak to open his door, but he did not respond.

After about an hour, the property manager pried open the door and officers entered to find Yanacheak in a bedroom, where law enforcement agencies stated he picked up a kitchen knife and began to walk toward the officers.

According to the BCA, officers attempted to retreat, but at one point, Kampsen deployed his Taser. Sheriff Eric Tollefson stated in an initial news release that officers provided life-saving medical care at the scene until Yanacheak could be taken to a hospital.

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Kampsen and the two Willmar police officers involved were wearing body cameras. The BCA previously said all available video would be reviewed as part of the investigation. Upon completion, the BCA will present its findings to the Kandiyohi County Attorney’s office for review.

A public information officer stated Tuesday that the BCA investigation is still active and ongoing.

Tollefson told the West Central Tribune in an email Tuesday that he had not received any updates from the BCA regarding the investigation and deferred all questions to the agency.

Kandiyohi County Attorney Shane Baker also told the West Central Tribune on Tuesday that his office had not yet received anything from the BCA.

Yanacheak, 75, grew up in Willmar and graduated in 1968 from Willmar High ÍáÍáÂþ»­. He served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, . He later worked as a security officer at the Minnesota State Capitol and returned to Willmar following his retirement.

By
Dale Morin is a reporter with the West Central Tribune. He covers public safety and breaking news beats.

Dale can be reached at dmorin@wctrib.com or by phone 320-214-4368.
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