BCA: Deputy, suspect identified in Chanhassen use-of-force incident

Officials have identified the people involved in an incident in which two officers shot a suspect with a knife over the weekend.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified the two Carver County sheriff’s deputies as James Horvath and Benjamin Sinko. Horvath has 19 years of experience and Sinko has four and a half years.

The suspect who was shot multiple times was identified as 31-year-old Derek West of Bloomington.

As previously reported, Horvath and Sinko responded to reports of a domestic incident at a home in Chanhassen on Saturday. According to officials, officers were standing outside talking to the person who made the call when West exited the home with a knife in his hand and a white face covering.

West ran toward the officers, ignoring their commands to stop and drop the knife. One of the deputies stumbled back and fell as West continued to run toward them.

The BCA states that Horvath and Sinko both shot at West, hitting him multiple times. Deputies performed life-saving measures until West was transported to the hospital, where he is currently in stable condition.

A 10-inch knife and bullet casings were recovered from the scene by BCA personnel.

Both deputies are on leave due to critical events.

BCA agents are reviewing video footage from body cameras worn by the officers during the incident. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings to the Carver County District Attorney’s Office.