Clearbrook Man Charged With Attempted Murder After Shooting At Deputy

Carstie Lee Clausen

UPDATE: A Clearbrook man accused of shooting at a Polk County deputy is now facing three felony charges.

Carstie Lee Clausen, 71, appeared in court Wednesday morning to reduce bail on felony charges. He has been charged with attempted murder,  first degree assault in use of deadly force against a peace officer and reckless use of a dangerous weapon.  Each charges carry a maximum sentence of 20 years. The  reckless discharge of dangerous weapon carries a maximum sentence of five years.

According to the criminal complaint, the deputy was riding in the helicopter as an observer for Pine to Prairie Drug Task Force along with the  U.S. Border Patrol. The helicopter was flying over rural Clearwater County for suspected marijuana grow.

Clausen reportedly fired two shots from a .30-30 caliber rifle at the helicopter, shattering the glass and injuring the deputy’s arm, rib cage and eyes. Shortly after authorities surrounded Clausen’s cabin located just east of the Polk- Clearwater county line at 45498 County Road 7 , locating him in the woods nearby.

According to court documents after a search of Clausen’s property officers found the riffle in a concealed location and a spent cartridge. Clausen told County Chief Deputy Ryan Solee during an interview he felt harassed by the flyovers.

The deputy has not been named, but he has been treated and released from Fosston hospital. Polk County Sheriff’s Office tells us the deputy is doing well and he is expected to return to work Wednesday.

Bail has been set at $300,000 unconditional, $150,000 conditional. The next hearing is scheduled for Aug. 31, but federal prosecutors could make a decision within the next week.