BCA Identifies Man Who Shot and Killed Minnesota Deputy

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St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has released the name of the man who died during a shootout that also claimed the life of a veteran law officer last weekend.

A statement from the BCA says the Midwest Medical Examiners Office determined 34-year-old Bryan Nygard of Cyrus died from multiple gunshot wounds after he engaged Pope County Deputy Josh Owen and two other law enforcement officers in a gun battle Saturday evening. The shootout occurred after the law officers responded to a domestic violence call at an apartment in the town of Cyrus Saturday evening. Deputy Owen died after he was shot three times.

The BCA says, based on the initial investigation, Deputy Owen, Pope County Deputy Brody Merrill, and Starbuck Police Officer Alex Olson were speaking to Nygard and a woman after they arrived at the apartment. They eventually informed Nygard that he was being arrested, and he responded by standing up, drawing a firearm, and opening fire. The two deputies returned fire. The BCA says the Starbuck officer was in a hallway and did not fire.

Nygard died at the scene, while Deputy Owen was transported to a hospital where he later died. The BCA says Deputy Merrill was also shot and was treated and released from the hospital, while Officer Olson suffered a minor gunshot wound to his leg that was treated at the scene. The woman living with Nygard had left the apartment before the shooting occurred.

All three officers were wearing body cameras. BCA Agents continue to review the videos as part of the investigation. Officials say redacted versions of the videos will be released to the public once the case is closed.

The funeral for Deputy Owen will be held Saturday morning at the high school in his hometown of Glenwood. A visitation is planned at the high school one hour prior to the start of the service and from 4 until 8 PM on Friday.