Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office ID’s Pine Island Man Who Died During Attempted Warrant Service

Pine Island, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office has released new details regarding an attempt to serve warrants last week that ended with the death of the suspect. 

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Law enforcement responded to a home in the 400 block of 6th St. NW in Pine Island to execute search and arrest warrants on Friday afternoon. 

A news release issued on Tuesday by the Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office says deputies made contact with the suspect but he retreated inside. 

Deputies secured the area then heard a single gunshot. 

The suspect was found dead when law enforcement entered the home. No law enforcement officers fired their weapons, the news release says. 

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Goodhue County Sheriff's Office ID's Man Who Died During Warrant Service in Pine Island, Shares Details About Investigation

Authorities identified the suspect as William Wayne Prigge. 

An autopsy conducted by the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office determined Prigge died by suicide, the news release says. 

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 988. You are not alone and help is available. Every life is important.

Juvenile Sex Assault Investigation

The Goodhue County Sheriff’s Office said the warrant service was related to a sexual assault case involving a juvinile victim that law enforcement began investigating on April 6. 

If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, resources are available for help. Visit the RAINN website (Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network) or dial 800-656-HOPE (800-656-4673).

On April 17, detectives executed a search warrant at Prigge’s home in relation to the sexual assault investigation. The news release says Prigge declined to give a statement. 

After that search and additional leads, investigators obtained the warrants they attempted to execute on Friday. 

One was to arrest Prigge on first and second-degree criminal sexual conduct charges. The other was to conduct a second search of his home.