Charges: Monticello man ran at deputies with a knife before being shot

A Monticello man who was shot by law enforcement last week has been charged after allegedly running at deputies with a knife.

Dwayne Evan Trunnell, 18, is facing one count of first-degree assault against a peace officer and one count of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.

RELATED: Deputy shoots armed man in Monticello, BCA investigating

According to court records, on Nov. 25 at 9 p.m., deputies with the Wright County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a man with a knife on Golf Course Road near Fairway Drive in Monticello.

The man, later identified as Trunnell, was holding a knife and walking toward the deputies, who told him to drop the weapon. The criminal complaint states that he did not listen to their commands and kept walking toward the deputies.

The deputies were identified Friday as Benjamin Skweres, who discharged his firearm, and Kyle Phillips, who discharged his taser. They have five and one years of law enforcement experience, respectively.

When deputies said they would use a Taser, Trunnell briefly turned around and took a few steps away, but then turned and ran toward them.

Authorities say Phillips deployed a Taser, which didn’t stop Trunnell, so Skweres fired his gun, striking Trunnell multiple times.

Medical care was provided until paramedics arrived, and Trunnell was brought to the hospital in stable condition.

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office said the deputies weren’t injured but were placed on standard leave as the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigates. The department says the deputies involved were wearing activated body cameras.

Trunnell’s next court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
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