Twin Cities man encounters police, shoots himself

COTTAGE GROVE, Minn. - A man shot himself early Friday morning when he encountered police outside an apartment building, said Cottage Grove Deputy Public Safety Director Pete Koerner.

Police had been seeking Duane L. Carlson, 39, of Cottage Grove, after receiving a report he was suicidal, and found a man matching his description walking through The Woodlands apartment complex, according to a Cottage Grove Police Department press release.

Woodbury police had broadcasted the description of the man and his vehicle after getting a call around 11 p.m. Thursday night reporting that Carlson was armed with a hand gun and had fled his ex-girlfriend's house making comments about committing suicide, the release says.

The Woodbury Police Department had been working with Carlson's cell phone company to track his location, and they determined he was in Cottage Grove, Koerner said.

Police found an unoccupied vehicle matching the description of his gold Dodge Caravan at Oakwood Park, Koerner said. An officer that was helping set up a perimeter to search the park saw Carlson walking along the side of the road. He shined his light on him, and called other squads for backup, Koerner said.

The officer called out to Carlson using his public address system, Koerner said.

"The officer was able to make a couple comments and immediately he reached into his pocket and pulled out the gun," Koerner said. "It happened really quick from the time that the officer spotted him."

Three squads were on scene when Carlson shot himself, and a paramedic was there within a minute, he said.

Cottage Grove paramedics transported him to Regions Hospital, where he died from his injuries, according to the release.

The South Washington County Bulletin in Cottage Grove, Minn., is owned by Forum Communications Co.