Deputy shot in arm with arrow in Sauk Centre, Minn., suspect in custody

SAUK CENTRE, Minn. (KMSP) - A 31-year-old suspect struck a Stearns County Sheriff's deputy with crossbow arrow during an incident in Sauk Centre, Minnesota Thursday morning, which ended after a two-hour police standoff. 

According to Sheriff Don Gudmundson, after 10 a.m. a black pickup truck, which was stolen in Osakis, Minn. earlier in the morning, exited into Sauk Centre. After pulling into a John Deere parking lot, the pickup hit a building, drove through multiple backyards in a neighborhood, struck parked cars before crashing into a garage on 10th Street.

The 31-year-old suspect then went into the home, where he found the homeowner's compound bow. When officials went inside the house, he appeared on the second floor and shot Deputy Paul Orvis with the crossbow. The target arrow hit Deputy Orvis in the left forearm. Sheriff Gudmundson says the suspect does not know the homeowner and went into the home at random.

Multiple officers from different agencies fired shots at the suspect. After two hours of negotiations, officials subdued him with a Taser and took him to St. Cloud Hospital.

The sheriff says at this point it is unclear who actually hit the suspect with gunfire. The 31-year-old suspect from the Osakis and Alexandria area is being treated for gunshot wounds to the shoulder, buttocks and a graze wound to his hand.

Deputy Orvis is undergoing surgery to remove the arrow shaft and is also being treated for a possible broken arm. According to hospital staff, he is in good condition. Orvis is a 17-year veteran on the force. He recently made the Stearns County Sheriff's Office newsletter for adopting a stray kitten he found on patrol.

St. Cloud Police Department will investigate the assault on Deputy Orvis, while the officer-involved shooting will be investigated by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

Charges are pending.