A man shot by police during a drug raid in New Brighton was identified by authorities Wednesday afternoon.
Matthew L. Vanhofwegen, 45, was shot Tuesday during a struggle when he allegedly grabbed the rifle barrel of Maplewood police officer Joseph Steiner after officers forced the door open at Vanhofwegen's home in the 1500 block of 20th Av. NW.
Vanhofwegen is being treated at the Hennepin County Medical Center for multiple gunshot wounds. As of Tuesday, he was listed in stable condition.
According to the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), members of the Ramsey County Violent Crime Enforcement Team arrived at the home around 2 p.m. to execute a narcotics search warrant. They saw Vanhofwegen in his front yard before he entered his home, but when he did not respond to repeated knocks on the door, officers announced themselves and forced the door open.
Authorities encountered Vanhofwegen in a front hall when he allegedly grabbed the barrel of Steiner's rifle and a struggle ensued in which Steiner shot Vanhofwegen. Steiner was the only officer to fire his gun. Police provided medical attention to Vanhofwegen before he was transported to the hospital.
Steiner is an 8-year veteran of the Maplewood Police Department. He has been placed on standard administrative leave. The BCA is investigating the incident.
The law enforcement task force is made up of officers from St. Paul, Roseville, Maplewood, White Bear Lake and New Brighton police departments and deputies from the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.
Nicole Norfleet • 612-673-4495
