Watch CBS News

David Donnell Jr. Charged With Killing Red Lake Tribal Police Officer Ryan Bialke

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A man faces federal charges after allegedly shooting at five tribal police officers, killing one of them, Tuesday morning.

David Donnell Jr. is charged with one count of second-degree murder and four counts of assault, according to court documents. He made his first court appearance on the charges Wednesday.

David Donnell
(credit: Sherburne County)

According to a complaint, Donnell's girlfriend's mother called police and said he was suicidal.

Ryan Bialke and four other Red Lake Tribal Police Department officers responded and found Donnell, who had an active warrant, on the front porch of his home in Redby. When they confronted him, he ran inside and refused to come out.

The officers decided to force their way in, with Bialke in the lead. When he kicked the door down, he was hit by gunfire from inside of the home. The shooting continued, and the four other officers fled to the woods to avoid it.

Bialke died at the scene, according to the complaint.

A neighbor called an officer and said Donnell came to her house and she took a gun from him. Officers went to her home, arrested Donnell and seized a rifle, the complaint states.

Donnell allegedly admitted to the shooting in an interview with police, saying he knew he was firing at police, and that he knew about his warrant and did not want to be arrested.

Bialke leaves behind a wife and four children. Donnell's next court appearance is Tuesday.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.