BCA identifies officers who used force in North Branch incident

ST. PAUL — The Midwest Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the woman killed during a use-of-force incident June 27 in North Branch. According to the medical examiner, Jamie Ann Crabtree, 36, of North Branch died of multiple gunshot wounds.

The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified two North Branch police officers who used force during this incident. They are both on critical incident leave.

• Kyle Miller used non-lethal force. He has a year-and-a-half of law enforcement experience.

• Duane Southworth fired his department rifle. He has two years of law enforcement experience.

According to the preliminary investigation, officers responded to a report of a woman, later identified as Crabtree, walking down the street with a bottle of alcohol and a gun in a case. The officers made contact with her and ordered her to drop the gun, which she did not acknowledge. Miller deployed PepperBall rounds. Crabtree can be seen on squad car camera appearing to point an object at the officers. That’s when Southworth fired his rifle multiple times, striking Crabtree. Officers provided medical care, but she later died at Lakes Region Emergency Medical Services.

BCA crime scene personnel recovered a handgun, a gun case and rifle cartridge casings at the scene. There is body camera and squad car camera video that captured portions of the incident. BCA agents are reviewing all available video as part of their active investigation.

The North Branch Police Department asked the BCA to investigate this incident. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without a charging recommendation to the Washington County Attorney’s Office for review.