Law enforcement officials in Woodbury, Minnesota, found themselves in the midst of a high-stakes situation on Monday morning, prompting a response from a SWAT team. The incident, currently under investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), unfolded in the parking lot of Target at Valley Creek Plaza.

According to the Woodbury police, officers and members of the Washington County SWAT team were alerted to a vehicle with stolen license plates in the Target parking lot off Valley Creek Road. However, upon their arrival, the vehicle was found to be unoccupied. As the officers continued their investigation, the suspect suddenly appeared and engaged in a physical altercation with the police.

During the altercation, officers noticed that the suspect was armed with a handgun, causing them to withdraw from the situation. Subsequently, the suspect barricaded himself inside the vehicle, leading to a temporary shelter-in-place order being implemented for the Valley Creek Plaza area. Efforts were made by the SWAT team to negotiate with the suspect, who continuously refused to comply with their instructions.

Around 10:30 a.m., the suspect emerged from the vehicle and pointed the gun in the direction of the officers. Faced with an imminent threat, the officers opened fire, striking the suspect. He was immediately transported to a hospital for treatment, although his current condition remains unknown.

In light of the use of force, one Woodbury police officer and one Washington County deputy have been placed on standard administrative leave, following protocol for officers involved in shooting incidents. The BCA will meticulously review all available footage, including body-worn cameras and dash cameras, as part of their investigation into the use-of-force incident.

Apart from the ongoing investigation into the incident, Woodbury police are also handling the original crime that the suspect was wanted for. The exact details of the original offense were not disclosed in the provided information.

Eyewitnesses at the scene, such as Spencer Trinh, reported seeing law enforcement officials closing down the Target store at Valley Creek Plaza. Trinh stated that she was informed about the presence of a wanted felon and that shots had been fired at some point. She also witnessed a man being taken away in an ambulance.

As authorities continue to piece together the events that occurred, the community eagerly awaits further updates on both the investigation and the condition of the injured suspect.