Breaking News: Steele County deputy among officers involved in Freeborn shooting
A Steele County Sheriff’s deputy is one of the officers placed on critical incident leave after his involvement in a Freeborn County incident that left two people dead.
Sean Robbins has 11 years of law enforcement experience, according to a statement from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is leading the investigation. He was one of five officers who discharged their firearms during the incident.
The series of events that led to the deaths began about 7:10 p.m. June 11 with a report of a domestic dispute in the 21000 block of 880th Avenue in Oakland Township. The caller said that Nathaniel Dewitt Bailey, 44, of Albert Lea, had sent a text message to a woman, claiming he had killed his mother.
When officers arrived, Bailey was gone; authorities learned he was possibly headed to Mower County.
About 9:45 p.m., Mower County Sheriff’s Sergeant Katlynne Fisher spotted Bailey in his vehicle and initiated a pursuit.
The chase wound its way south from Interstate 90 in Mower County, then east for a bit before it headed back west toward Freeborn County, often reaching speeds of 110-115 mph, according to scanner traffic.
Fisher requested help from the Minnesota State Patrol air patrol, which launched at 10:05 p.m.
Members of the Steele County SWAT team were also paged for help.
Meanwhile, other members of law enforcement were able to deploy stop sticks on Freeborn County Road 34 as Bailey’s vehicle traveled north on 890th Avenue. The vehicle struck the sticks, but continued.
Bailey turned west onto Freeborn County State Aid Highway 46, where he struck a second set of stop sticks that had been deployed.
It became apparent to Fisher, who remained the lead car in the pursuit, that Bailey was likely heading back to the site of the original dispute.
He turned south onto 880th Avenue, returning to the residence.
At that point, another officer warned Fisher, “be careful; he possibly has a firearm,” per scanner traffic of the incident.
Bailey parked the vehicle and got out, armed with a handgun, the BCA statement says. The chase lasted about 20 minutes and involved several agencies.
Eighteen second later, dispatch was told shots had been fired.
About a minute later, Fisher said the suspect was “down” and a medical helicopter was called.
Rescue efforts were provided, the statement says, but Bailey was pronounced dead at the scene.
When law enforcement searched the property after the shooting, they found the body of Bailey’s mother, Brenda Kay Krause, 66. According to the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, it is believed she died prior to law enforcement arrival.
Her death, which has been ruled a homicide, was the result of gunshot wounds.
BCA crime scene technicians recovered a handgun and spent cartridge casings at the scene.
Portions of the incident were captured by body worn cameras; the investigation is ongoing.
In addition to Robbins and Fisher, who has eight years of law enforcement experience, the other officers on leave are: Freeborn County Deputy Darik Weigel, eight years of experience; Albert Lea Police Detective Sy Vanthavong, 24 years of experience; and a Faribault County Sheriff’s Office deputy whose name was withheld due to undercover status.
When complete, the statement says, the BCA will present its findings without recommendation on charges to the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office for review.