Man, 22, with knife fatally shot by Stillwater officer

Police in Stillwater fatally shot and killed a 22-year-old man Wednesday who they said was armed with a knife at his family's home.

The encounter occurred about 1 a.m. at a home in the 1200 block of 4th Street S., according to Stillwater Police Chief John Gannaway. One officer discharged a gun, while three others fired Tasers.

Officers from the Stillwater, Bayport and Oak Park Heights police departments were called to the residence on a report of a suicidal man, Gannaway said. Officers encountered the man, who they said had a knife, and opened fire.

He was taken to nearby Lakeview Hospital and pronounced dead.

Authorities identified the man as Keaton Larson, 22. A neighbor who asked not to be identified said Larson lived at the home with a brother.

Emergency dispatch audio revealed that a woman reported that her brother was trying to kill himself and may have already cut his own throat. An officer reported to dispatch that Larson "has got a knife. He's at the front door." Larson moved farther from his home, and seconds later officers screamed, "Shots fired!"

Police body-worn cameras and squad car cameras were in use at the time, the chief said. The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has been asked to lead the investigation.

On Wednesday night, the officers involved were identified as Hunter Julien, with Stillwater police for five years, who discharged his firearm; Laura McBroom, a one-year veteran, who discharged her Taser; and Brian Tennessen and Brittany Lepowsky, two-year officers who both discharged their Tasers.

All are on standard administrative leave.

It was the third instance this month in the Twin Cities area of police fatally shooting someone, all of whom were said to be suicidal.

Paul Walsh • 612-673-4482