ST PAUL, Minn. — The St. Paul Police Department released body camera video from the officers who shot and killed a man believed to be a suspect in a murder the night before.

Police had sought the man, identified as 29-year-old Seantrell Murdock, in connection to a murder that occurred Wednesday night in St. Paul.

Police say officers monitored a house on the 100 block of Meridian Street in Belle Plaine overnight after the license plate number from the suspect’s vehicle was listed to the home. Police say a man matching the description of the suspect was seen leaving the home at around 6:30 a.m. when body cameras capture officers yelling, “Let me see your hands.” One officer is heard yelling, “Gun! Gun!” before multiple shots were fired.

The officers who fired their weapons were identified as Aaron Bohlen, who has worked in law enforcement for 10 years, and Lance Christianson, who has worked in the field for 20 years, according to the BCA. Both officers have been put on standard administrative leave.

While officers were putting handcuffs on Murdock, he was heard asking officers, “Why did you shoot me?” One officer responded, “Because you had a gun in your hand.” A gun is seen lying next to Murdock after the shots were fired.

Murdock was transported to HCMC, where he later died.

The BCA said Murdock was a suspect in a murder that occurred Wednesday, Sept. 25 near the 200 block of East Kellogg Boulevard. The woman was later identified as 66-year-old Carrie Kwok of St. Paul. Lowertown Lofts Artists Cooperative confirmed on Facebook that Kwok was one of its members and she was shot while working on an art project outside the building.

“This has been a very sad time for our city and the families of those impacted by the loss of a loved one,” said St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry in a statement. “We stand committed to being transparent and accountable for our actions and we hope the release of these videos will help answer some of the questions people have. The families, our community, and our officers will continue to be our priority as this independent investigation moves forward.”

RANDOLPH, Minn. — A $45,000 reward is being offered to anyone with valuable information into the disappearance of 56-year-old Nicole “Nikki” Anderson, who has been missing since early July.

The Dakota County Sheriff’s Office said private parties came together to offer an additional $40,000 to be added to the original $5,000 reward that was offered earlier this year. The reward will be given to anyone who provides information that leads to the whereabouts of Anderson or the prosecution of anyone involved in her disappearance. Only tips received through the sheriff’s office or CrimeStoppers will be eligible for the reward. Tips can be submitted by phone at 651-438-TIPS (8477), via email at crimeandwarranttips@co.dakota.mn.us or online at the link Report A Tip.

According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), Anderson left her home in Randolph Township around 10 a.m. on July 6, and hasn’t been heard from since. Officials say Anderson left on foot without her phone, wallet, glasses or medication, adding there is “concern for her welfare.”

Anderson’s mother, Dorene Mies, told KARE 11’s Kiya Edwards that her daughter left the house that morning to get the mail and never returned. The moment was captured on their Ring camera.

BECKER COUNTY, Minn. — An 18-year-old from West Fargo is alive, with a WILD story to tell, thanks to a Minnesota State Trooper and other law enforcement personnel who stepped in when he needed them most. 

Minnesota State Patrol spokesman Sgt. Jesse Grabow says the saga unfolded on Tuesday, Sept. 17 when 18-year-old Sam Dutcher was driving in the Fargo area when his 2022 Honda Pilot malfunctioned and refused to stop. Dutcher called 911, telling dispatchers the SUV was continuing to accelerate despite his trying to turn it off, put the transmission in neutral, and slow it with both the braking system and the emergency brake. 

Grabow tells KARE 11 that a deputy from Cass County, ND, responded but the teen’s Honda continued on its path, speeding into northern Clay County, Minnesota. Clay County deputy Zach Johnson joined the effort, talking with Sam on the phone and trying to troubleshoot as the SUV tore eastbound on a county road doing between 80 and 90 miles per hour.

It was at this point that Minnesota State Trooper Zach Gruver responded, catching up with Dutcher’s vehicle while noticing it was now rolling down the road at 113 mph. The trooper sped ahead of the SUV with lights and sirens activated as they ripped through the tiny town of Hitterdal, hoping no residents or vehicles would be in their way. 

“My mind started to go, ‘I am going to die tonight,'” the teen later told the Fargo Inforum. 

In front of the speeding car was the Becker County line, and Trooper Gruver knew there wasn’t much time, as the road would soon come to a T and the teen driver would most certainly crash. The trooper once again sped in front of Dutcher, and communicating with Deputy Johnson, told the teen to run into the back of his squad. Gruver paced the approaching SUV was struck, and firmly applied his brakes until both vehicles came to a stop. 

Somehow, no one was injured. 

Patrol spokesman Grabow didn’t mince words in his email to KARE 11, citing the “incredible” work by 911 dispatchers, both responding deputies, Trooper Gruver and young Sam Dutcher himself, lauding the 18-year-old for staying calm, communicating with a clear head and following detailed directions.

“For everything that was going wrong, a few important things went right,” Grabow wrote. “Without the sacrifice of Trooper Gruver, we might not have had the victory and outcome we did.”

During a meet-up with Sam and his mom a few days later, trooper Gruver downplayed his role, telling The Inforum that having a fast car – the Dodge Charger Interceptor instead of the conventional State Patrol SUV – made the difference.  

“I don’t think I did anything special. I think it came down to that I had the fastest car and I was able to get in front of him,” Gruver said.

“There were a lot of factors in there where things could have gone very wrong very fast,” he said.