A naked man wielding a pickaxe charges at police and is tasered before a deadly shootout [VIDEOS]

Law enforcement in Crookston, Minn., was forced to take lethal action against a 35-year-old ax-wielding man who charged officers in the early hours of May 16, the Bureau of 'Minnesota Criminal Apprehension.

The individual, identified as Andrew Scott Dale, died of multiple gunshot wounds during the confrontation with authorities. The fatal altercation occurred when two police officers and a Polk County sheriff's deputy responded to a distress call. Upon arriving at the scene, they found Dale brandishing an ax in a residential neighborhood near the Polk County Government Center, which posed a clear threat to public safety.

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According to Chief Darin Selzler, Dale showed direct aggression by quickly moving toward law enforcement, prompting officers to resort to less lethal tactics in an attempt to subdue him.

Officer Alex Rudnik initially tried to defuse the situation by deploying his Taser, while Deputy Matt Benge fired 40-millimeter foam rounds. Despite these measures, Officer Nick Fladland was forced to use his department-issued handgun, firing several rounds that ultimately proved fatal to Dale. Fladland has been suspended due to a critical incident, as announced by the BCA in an official statement.

After the shooting, officers administered immediate life-saving measures to Dale before he was transported to RiverView Health Hospital in Crookston, where he succumbed to injuries sustained during the confrontation. Notably, Dale had no documented history of mental illness in the Minnesota court system.

Following the incident, crime scene investigators recovered the ax and cartridges from the scene of the confrontation. In addition, footage from body-worn cameras worn by the officers captured crucial aspects of the interaction, contributing to the ongoing investigation, the BCA reports.

The situation highlights the difficult and potentially dangerous encounters law enforcement officers face in the line of duty, and serves as a stark reminder of the risks involved in maintaining public safety under these circumstances.

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