Identities Released In Hutchinson Officer-Involved Shooting

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- The identities of the deputy, officer and deceased suspect involved in Hutchinson's fatal officer-involved shooting have been released.

At about 4:13 p.m. Sunday, law enforcement from various agencies responded to a duplex on the 500 block of Harmony Lane SW in Hutchinson on a report of a verbal disturbance. They were informed that the subject may have a gun.

Authorities say that when officers arrived, they negotiated with the man through an upper level window. He was identified Thursday as 49-year-old Luverne Roy Christensen.

After about an hour, Christensen came down to the front entry of the duplex, but ignored repeated requests to show his hands. He then retreated back in into the vestibule.

At that time, the officers entered the building and an altercation occurred. That's when authorities say Christensen produced a handgun and fired once, striking one officer.

A deputy then returned fire, striking Christensen. He died at the scene from a gunshot wound.

The injured officer, identified as Hutchinson Police Officer Jacob Willers, was taken to an area hospital and later airlifted to the Hennepin County Medical Center where he was treated for non-life threatening injuries. He has since been released and is now on medical leave.

The officer who returned fire has been identified as Deputy Matthew Wyatt of the McLeod County Sheriff's Office.

There were no other injuries.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident at the request of Hutchinson police.