Police ID Eden Prairie Officer Involved In Shooting
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Authorities have identified an Eden Prairie police officer who accidentally shot at a suspect on Saturday after a short pursuit.
The suspect, a 21-year-old Bloomington man, was charged Tuesday and is accused of fleeing police on his motorcycle. Officers initiated a traffic stop at about 3 a.m. on June 20 after the driver, identified as Matthew Raymond Hovland-Knase, was caught speeding as he was heading westbound on Valley View Road in Eden Prairie.
Officers initiated a traffic stop, but the motorcycle took off and accelerated at a high rate of speed on Eden Prairie Road, ran a red light and performed several illegal maneuvers. The motorcycle reached speeds as high as 100 miles per hour, according to a criminal complaint.
Eventually, the motorcyclist pulled to the side of the road and officers initiated a felony stop. During the stop, the arresting officer accidentally discharged his service weapon and struck the motorcyclist in the left arm, according to the complaint.
Officers then rendered first aid to Hovland-Knase. While doing so, the officers could smell a strong odor of alcohol coming from Hovland-Knase's breath.
The Eden Prairie Police Department identified the officer Wednesday as Sgt. Lonnie Soppeland, who has been with the department since 2005. Soppeland has been assigned to administrative duties while the incident is under investigation by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office.
If convicted, Hovland-Knase faces up to three years and one day in prison and/or a $5,000 fine.
