BCA Identifies Crookston Police Officer, Alleged Hatchet-Wielding Man He Fatally Shot

By WCCO Staff, CBS Minnesota

May 24, 2024

CROOKSTON, Minn. — Authorities have identified a man they say approached an officer with a hatchet in northern Minnesota earlier this month, as well as the officer who shot and killed him.

Officer Nick Fladland of the Crookston Police Department fatally shot 35-year-old Andrew Scott Dale, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Another officer, Alex Rudnik, used his Taser and Polk County deputy Matt Benge fired foam "less lethal" rounds, the BCA said.

According to the BCA, Fladland, Rudnik and Benge responded to reports of a man with a hatchet in Crookston around 1 a.m. on May 16. Authorities allege Dale approached the trio with the hatchet. After Rudnik and Benge used their weapons to no effect, Fladland shot Dale multiple times, the BCA said.

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