Grand jury to hear testimony on killing by Le Sueur County deputy

Last update: October 13, 2009 - 8:42 PM

A grand jury will convene Nov. 4 to hear testimony and consider charges in the shooting death of an unarmed Kasota man who was killed this summer by a Le Sueur County sheriff's deputy.

Tyler Heilman, 24, was shirtless and wearing only swimming trunks when plainclothes deputy Todd Waldron shot him twice in the chest on July 20. The Anoka County attorney's office is convening the grand jury proceedings, which are expected to last two or three days. They will not be open to the public.

Heilman had been swimming with friends when Waldron followed him and a friend, Kris Hoehn, back to an apartment complex. The Le Sueur County sheriff's office said the car Heilman was riding in had been driving erratically. Heilman's friends, who witnessed the shooting, said Waldron was not in uniform and never identified himself as a deputy.

Hoehn has said that Waldron asked for Heilman's driver's license. Heilman walked away, unsure of Waldron's identity, and a wrestling match broke out when Waldron grabbed Heilman's shoulders, Hoehn said.

Heilman flipped Waldron to the ground and the two wrestled, witnesses said, and when Heilman jumped off Waldron, the deputy shot him without giving a verbal warning. Authorities have said that Waldron, a 10-year veteran of the force, fired at least four shots.

Heilman has a toddler-aged son with his longtime girlfriend. His family members and friends have demonstrated and posted signs demanding a resolution to the case.

CHAO XIONG