Man Shot by Law Officers Friday Night in North Branch ID’d

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North Branch, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has released additional information concerning an officer-involved shooting that occurred last Friday in east-central Minnesota.

31-year-old Erik Hammer was shot multiple times by law-enforcement officers who responded to reports of a suicidal man and encountered Hammer in the driveway of a home in North Branch armed with a sword. According to the results of the preliminary investigation, officers ordered Hammer several times to drop the sword, but he refused and started walking toward the officers holding the weapon

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Chisago County Sheriff's Sergeant James Mott responded by firing less-than-lethal rounds at Hammer before North Branch Police Officers Tyler Lawson and Kyle Lund began firing their patrol rifles. The officers then administered first aid until paramedics arrived at the scene. Hammer is being treated for multiple gunshot wounds but is expected to recover.

According to the BCA, crime scene personnel recovered a sword at the scene. The videos recorded by the officer's body cameras are now being reviewed to determine the exact timing of when each of the officers fired at Hammer.

The BCA statement says Sergeant Mott has 15 years of law enforcement experience, Officer Lawson has nearly 4 1/2 years of experience in law enforcement, and Officer Lund has 3 1/2 years of law enforcement experience. They are all on standard administrative leave.

Once the BCA investigation is complete, the findings will be submitted to the Isanti County Attorney's Office for review.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website. Resource information is provided for free as well as a chat message service. To speak directly to a professional, call 1-800-273-8255. You are not alone and help is available. Every life is important.