On August 28, 2025, members of the Saint Paul Police Department Investigations and the South Metro SWAT Team were checking an address for a wanted person. The suspect was located in a residence and barricaded himself in the basement.
SWAT personnel began negotiations, and a Safariland® PROTECH® Assault III LW VP HZ Shield was placed in the doorway leading to the basement. The viewport allowed officers to monitor the suspect’s movements.
The suspect presented a gun and eventually fired several rounds from behind a corner. One 9mm round struck the shield just above the glass of the viewport. The Assault III Shield stopped the round, protecting the two officers behind the shield.
Officers attempted to use less-lethal means to take the assailant into custody. The suspect continued to fire on officers and was fatally wounded by return fire.
We welcome Deputy Timothy Gonder as Save #2281 to The Safariland Group Saves Club®.