Robbery suspect dies in river shootout with police

(Mankato, MN) – A gas station robbery suspect is dead after he apparently exchanged gunfire with police on the Minnesota River Saturday.

The incident began just after noon, when police responded to a report of an armed robbery at the BP gas station on Highway 169.

Police say the man left BP on foot, and crossed the highway towards the river, where he was later found floating on a raft, according to a press release.

“The suspect fired several times at law enforcement, and at some point licensed peace officers returned fire,” says the release.  Reports say the man slipped from his raft after he was hit by gunfire.

The incident prompted the Blue Earth Sheriff’s office to issue a shelter-in-place warning that lasted for about an hour.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension will investigate the shooting.