ST. PETER, MINN. — The St. Peter Police Department released body camera footage on July 8, 2026, documenting a shootout that occurred on June 18, 2026. The incident resulted in Officer Austin Buss being wounded and the death of a suspect.

The events of June 18 began when Mankato police initiated a pursuit of a vehicle that fled into St. Peter. The pursued vehicle eventually stopped on a residential street in St. Peter, and its driver then entered a nearby residence. Officers evacuated an adult woman and a juvenile from the home, confirming that the suspect remained inside.

During the standoff, the suspect fired a shotgun from the second floor of the residence, striking St. Peter Officer Austin Buss in the arm and ballistic vest. Officer Buss and another officer returned fire. Following the initial exchange, Officer Buss left the home to receive medical treatment. Law enforcement subsequently secured the residence, and officers attempted to negotiate the suspect's surrender.

After an extended period with no contact from the individual inside, officers deployed a drone into the home. The drone located the suspect dead from a gunshot wound on the second floor. Prior to this, officers had issued commands to a person inside to come down and show his hands. Officer Buss is currently recovering at home.