Man Killed In Lakeville By Dakota County Deputy Identified

LAKEVILLE, MN — The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has identified the Lakeville man who was shot and killed by a deputy last week. Kent Richard Kruger, 36, died of multiple gunshot wounds on the 20000 block of Italy Avenue at 12:11 p.m. on Feb. 28.

The Dakota County Sheriff's Office says a man with a warrant opened fire on police before a deputy returned fire on him Friday. The man died at the scene. No officers were injured.

On Friday at 11:41 a.m., officers from the Dakota County Sheriff's Office and Lakeville Police Department tried to serve an emergency order for protection, which included an order for the person to vacate a residence.

The person had an active arrest warrant for fourth degree assault on a peace officer, police said. The man has had previous run-ins with the Lakeville Police Department, according to a news release.

Within seconds of police entering the residence, the man opened fire on officers, according to authorities. One Dakota County deputy returned fire and killed the man.

Police tried lifesaving efforts, but the man was later pronounced dead at the scene.

"Law enforcement officers place their lives in danger every day to protect the public and enforce the law," the Sheriff's Office said in a statement.

"In this situation the subject could have taken the lives of deputies, officers, or the public with his decision to open fire. Absent the actions of the deputy, others could have been injured or killed. We are fortunate that all deputies and officers were physically unharmed. The deputies and officers involved in this incident have been placed on administrative leave which is standard practice for those in officer involved shootings. "

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident.