Police: Man shot ex-wife at North St. Paul business, in custody after standoff
NORTH ST. PAUL, Minn. (KMSP) - A man, who North St. Paul police say shot his ex-wife at her work, is now in custody of the Anoka County Sheriff's Office.
Authorities began searching for John Bruce Steurer, 47, of Anoka after he fled the scene of the shooting Wednesday afternoon. At about 5:17 p.m., an Anoka County Park Ranger found the Steurer in his truck at Bunker Hills Regional Park in Coon Rapids, ducking down trying to hide himself. Anoka County Sheriff's officials arrived and Steurer led officers on a short chase.
“The suspect was pointing a weapon outside of his vehicle towards officers,” said Commander Paul Sommer of the Anoka County Sheriff's Office.
Steurer eventually stopped and a 30 minute standoff ensued.
Officials say he fired a gun three times inside his vehicle, but none of the shots were directed at the officers. He then attempted to drive away and rammed an unmarked Anoka County Sheriff's Office car. Officers heard another shot go off inside his vehicle.
“Deputies went up to the vehicle and saw that the suspect had a self-inflicted gunshot wound, he appeared to have a gunshot wound to his face but he was still alive,” said Sommer.
North St. Paul police say responders took Steurer to the hospital to be treated for several self-inflicted gunshot wounds.
Police responded to a report of shots fired at Anchor Mold & Tool Company around 2:20 p.m. on the 2200 block of 2nd Street where they found a woman with gunshot wounds in her shoulder. Police say the woman is in stable condition.
After further investigation, police learned Steurer and the victim are going through a divorce. Public court records reveal their divorce was finalized only two weeks ago.
Steurer went to her work, entered through a back door, and went upstairs where he got into an argument with his ex-wife. He was about five to seven feet away, when he fired at her with a 20-gauge shotgun, hitting her in the shoulder.
“We think he might have chased her around because we have blood splatter where she went in different circles in different areas of the building," said Sgt. Michael Lang with the North St. Paul Police Department. "They did end up out here where he tried to fire another round, but the shotgun malfunctioned or the shell was bad, he must’ve got spooked and took off.".
Steurer is now in custody in Anoka County. He will face serious charges in two counties: Ramsey and Anoka. At last check, the victim was in surgery and she is expected to be okay. Police plan to interview her on Thursday.