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   ST. PAUL — The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man who died during a Nov. 16 use-of-force incident in Turtle Lake Township as James Weyaus,37, of Onigum.

   The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the deputies from the Cass County Sheriff’s Office who used force during this incident. The Cass County Sheriff’s Office has placed both deputies on critical incident leave.

   • Cass County Deputy Kaleb Cherne fired his department-issued firearm. He has three years of law enforcement experience.

   • Cass County Deputy David Donner fired his department-issued firearm. He has six years of law enforcement experience.

   According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, deputies were called just after 4:30 p.m. on Nov. 16 to the 8400 block of Old Agency Trail Northwest on a report of shots fired. Deputies arriving in the area to investigate passed a male, later identified as James Weyaus, walking alone on County Road 13.

   Deputy Cherne attempted to speak with Weyaus but Weyaus ran from him and Cherne pursued him on foot. During this foot chase, Weyaus and Deputy Cherne exchanged gunfire. Deputy Cherne was shot in his upper right leg.

   Deputy Donner was responding to the foot chase and shooting when he saw Weyaus emerge onto the roadway. Deputy Donner fired toward Weyaus, striking him. Weyaus was pronounced dead on scene.

   Deputy Cherne was transported by air ambulance to a Fargo, North Dakota, hospital for treatment and has since been released.

   BCA crime scene personnel recovered a 9mm handgun, a holster and multiple shell casings. Body-worn cameras captured portions of this incident.

The Cass County Sheriff’s Office requested the BCA investigate the use of force. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without recommendation on charges to the Cass County Attorney’s Office for review.

About the Minnesota Department of Public Safety

   The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s more than 2,400 employees operate programs in the areas of law enforcement, crime victim assistance, traffic safety, alcohol and gambling, emergency communications, fire safety, pipeline safety, driver licensing, vehicle registration and emergency management. DPS activity is anchored by three core principles: education, enforcement and prevention.

About the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension

   The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension provides investigative and specialized law enforcement services to prevent and solve crimes in partnership with law enforcement, public safety and criminal justice agencies. Services include forensic laboratory analysis, criminal histories, investigations and criminal justice training.

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