Five drug task force officers and a 64-year-old man were injured in an exchange of gunfire last Thursday near Princeton as officers served a search warrant at a property in rural Minnesota. All individuals are expected to survive.

The suspect, Karl Thomas Holmberg, was arrested late Thursday morning at around 10:45 a.m. following the incident at his home in Glendorado Twp. It was reported the officers arrived at the Holmberg residence around 7 a.m. and were immediately under fire. Holmberg, along with the heavily-armored officers, was injured in the gunfire and — after several hours of negotiations — was captured and transported to an area hospital for treatment. The cause and extent of his injuries are unknown at this time. 

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has been called in to investigate the incident (as it often does in shootings involving law enforcement officers), which occurred in the area of 190th Avenue Northeast and Glendorado Road NE. Three Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office members of the DTF were wounded, all with injuries that are considered to be non-life-threatening. A DTF member from Princeton Police Department and a member from Elk River Police Department also were wounded in the incident. The information available at this time indicates that their injuries are non-life-threatening. Deputies from the Benton County Sheriff’s Office were present at the incident but were not injured.

Benton County Sheriff Troy Heck said at a news conference that the officers announced their arrival at a home in Glendorado Township around 7 a.m. and immediately came under fire. He said they returned fire and retreated. The officers’ injuries were not life-threatening, Heck said.

“This has been a difficult day for us in Benton County,” Heck said. “We are grateful that the incident did not result in loss of life or further injury. We are also grateful for the bravery and professionalism of all those law enforcement professionals that were involved in this incident.”

The officers were working undercover as part of the Sherburne County Drug Task Force, and their names will not be released.

Three of the injured officers were taken to North Memorial Hospital in the Minneapolis suburb of Robbinsdale, where they remain hospitalized. Two others who were struck in their bullet-resistant vests were treated then released from CentraCare Hospital in St. Cloud.

Holmberg was also taken to North Memorial, and a woman who was in the home during the shooting was taken to another hospital for evaluation.

Holmberg was already known to law enforcement in the area and Heck said he was not surprised by the shooting. Court records show Holmberg was convicted of cocaine possession in 1986 and another felony drug possession in 2006. Most recently, in 2019, he was convicted of a petty misdemeanor for not wearing his seatbelt in a vehicle.

Local politicians issued statements on the incident.

“The immense courage and professionalism of our local law enforcement officers are greatly appreciated and I extend heartfelt gratitude for their tireless efforts to keep us safe,” Rep. Shane Mekeland, R-Clear Lake, said. “These five officers put their own safety on the line to protect the rest of us and we all can be grateful for their service. Thursday morning was  very tense as we received word of this incident and prayed for their safety. We can be thankful preliminary reports indicated their injuries are non-life threatening and continue praying for full recoveries.”

“I am praying that our officers make a full recovery and am glad there were no more serious injuries.” Rep. Isaac Schultz, R–Elmdale Township, said. “The Drug Task Force plays an important role and they put their lives in danger every day to keep our communities safe.”

“This situation is every law enforcement officer and their family’s worse nightmare,” Rep. Paul Novotny, R-Elk River, said. “Every day, law enforcement officers leave their homes not knowing what sorts of danger they may encounter. While this morning’s events are challenging for those involved, I am nevertheless grateful to hear that all five injured officers are expected to be okay. Please be sure to keep them and their families in your prayers.”

A Benton County judge has set conditional bail for the suspect accused of shooting five cops at $3 million.

Karl Holmberg is charged with six counts of attempted first degree murder and six counts of first degree assault in connection to the October 12th incident at his home in Glendorado Township.