July 28, 2021 – In Breaking News – KSTP
Federal charges have been filed in connection with the death of Red Lake Tribal Police Officer Ryan Bialke.
A criminal complaint shows David Brian Donnell Jr., is charged with four counts of assault with a dangerous weapon and one count of second-degree murder in Bialke’s death.
On Tuesday, Red Lake Tribal police went to conduct a welfare check on Donnell at his home in the Copper City area of Redby.
The complaint states the woman Donnell is reportedly in a relationship with called her mother that morning, said Donnell was suicidal and asked her to call the police.
(Learn More. Courtesy of Lakeland News, Lakeland PBS and YouTube. Posted on Jul 28, 2021.)
Five officers, including Bialke, responded to Donnell’s home and learned that he had an active tribal warrant. When they arrived, the officers found Donnell standing outside on a porch.
After officers asked him to walk off the porch, toward them, Donnell refused and instead went in his home and refused to come out, the complaint states.
Eventually, the officers decided to breach the door and take Donnell into custody on his outstanding warrant, but when Bialke kicked in the front door, gunfire erupted from inside the home in the officers’ direction, the complaint states.
Bialke was hit, and one officer returned fire before the officers retreated into the woods to escape the continued gunfire.
The complaint states Bialke died at the scene.
(Learn More. Courtesy of Lakeland News, Lakeland PBS and YouTube. Posted on Jul 28, 2021.)
Soon after, a witness reported seeing Donnell walking through the woods while holding a rifle.
Officers responded to the nearby home that Donnell was reportedly at and took him into custody without further incident.
The complaint states Donnell apologized while he was arrested, saying, “I (expletive) up.”
Officers also found the gun inside the home where he was arrested.
The complaint states Donnell later told officers he fired at them because he knew of his outstanding warrant and didn’t want to be arrested.
Investigators later searched his home and found several fire shell casings and bullet holes in the home and in a police squad car.
(Learn More. Courtesy of Lakeland News, Lakeland PBS and YouTube. Posted on Jul 31, 2021.)
Continue reading… Man charged in killing of Red Lake Nation officer; family shares memories
Editor’s note: Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Officer Ryan Bialke, both blood and blue. Thank you Officer Bialke for serving the citizens of Red Lake with pride and distinction. Your life mattered.
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