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Man Shot, Killed By Mankato Police Was Shakopee Teacher

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A Twin Cities man fatally shot by police in Mankato is being remembered by his family and co-workers.

Police say an officer shot and killed 33-year-old Chase Tuseth early Saturday morning at a Country Inn and Suites in Mankato.

According to the police report, workers at the hotel say Tuseth was behind the counter in the lobby, throwing things.

The report says Officer Gary Schnorenberg arrived and tasered Tuseth.

But when he tried to handcuff him, witnesses say he broke free and began kicking and hitting the officer.

During the struggle, the officer fired his weapon and shot Tuseth.

Tuseth's grandmother said he was a standout athlete, and was an MSU-Mankato graduate. She said he had previously taught in Japan and South Kroea.

She said the news has shaken her family, because she says she had never seen or heard of her grandson acting like this.

"This comes as a big shock and will definitely have a big impact on our family environment," said Eric Serbus.

Serbus is the principal at Tokata Learning Center. It's an alternative high school in Shakopee where Tuseth was a teacher. Serbus called him an outstanding educator.

"He was bringing some pretty unique, creative projects to our school. The unique thing about Chase is he had a very good combination of knowing when to pull students, when to push students," said Tuseth.

Serbus didn't want to comment on what happened early New Year's Eve morning. That's when Mankato police received a 911 call from employees at the Country Inn and Suites, saying that Tuseth was acting up.

Schnorenberg tasered him, before fatally shooting him, after witnesses said he struggled with the officer.

On Facebook, Tuseth's uncle Mark Liptrap wrote, "He was a great kid, a teacher and terrific athlete. He will be greatly missed. Although I am biased, I believe this to be a case of excessive force."

"We are going to miss Chase," Serbus said. "Chase is such an important part of our school. Part of our family. He brought a lot of positive energy into our school. We are just trying to process and cope right now."

Schnorenberg has been with the Mankato Police Department for 30 years.

He was treated for minor injuries and is on standard administrative leave as the investigation continues.

Tuseth was cited for drunken driving in Scott County in 2008.

But after meeting conditions set by the court, that charge was dismissed.

Police have not said if Tuseth was drinking or if alcohol was a factor.

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