Update: Red Lake Police Officer Shot and Killed While on Duty
More details have been released concerning the death of a Red Lake police officer on Tuesday.
Officers responded to a call of a suicidal male with children possibly inside a residence one mile west of Redby, four miles east of the town of Red Lake off of Highway 1. The suspect then opened fire on officers, and one officer, Ryan Bialke, was struck by gunfire.
The suspect then fled into the surrounding woods, and Officer Bialke was transported to the Indian Health Service hospital where he died. The suspect was taken into custody a short time later.
Officer Bialke was 37 years old. Originally from Buffalo, Minnesota, he joined the Red Lake force in 2014 and is not a member of the tribe. He leaves behind his wife and four children.
Later on Tuesday, the Red Lake Police Department escorted the officer to Anoka County. Officers from agencies statewide joined in solidarity, according to the Red Lake Tribal Council’s Facebook page.
The FBI and BCA are assisting Red Lake Police in the ongoing investigation. Federal charges are expected in the next few days.
Original story:
The Red Lake Tribal Council announced that a Red Lake Nation police officer was shot and killed while on duty.
A family member identified the officer to the Star Tribune as Ryan Bialke, originally from Buffalo, Minnesota, who joined the Red Lake force in 2014.
The Minneapolis FBI posted the following on Twitter:
“FBI agents from our office are investigating a shooting that occurred early [Tuesday] morning on the Red Lake Reservation. RLDP officers were responding to a call at a residence when a subject fired a weapon killing an officer. Subject is in custody. Investigation is underway.”
Red Lake Nation posted a message on their Facebook page saying, “It is with heavy hearts to announce that the Red Lake Nation lost a Police Officer in the line of duty this morning. Chairman Seki is directing all Tribal Programs and Businesses to lower flags to half-staff throughout the week.”
Reports say the officer was involved in a shooting near Redby Tuesday morning. The FBI continues to work to get more information on the incident.
The Red Lake Tribal Council offers their sincere condolences to the family and friends of the officer.
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