Minnesota Trooper Assaulted

Minnesota State Patrol Trooper Darcy Gagnon is expected to make a full recovery after being assaulted over the weekend during a DWI arrest.


On Saturday, October 22, 2011, at approximately 1:30 a.m., Trooper Gagnon stopped Elijah Lee Knowles, 26, of Akeley, Minn. on State Highway 34 just east of Dorset corner. After performing field sobriety tests, including a preliminary breathe test, Trooper Gagnon arrested Knowles. As she attempted to handcuff the suspect, Knowles resisted arrest and hit her several times on the head with the trooper's Taser. Trooper Gagnon required staples to close the wound to her head.



According to the criminal complaint, Knowles then put the Taser to Trooper Gagnon's head and pulled the trigger, but the safety prevented the Taser from deploying. Knowles then attempted to take her sidearm, but was unable to get her gun. When Hubbard County deputies arrived on the scene, Knowles fled south on County Road 33 at speeds in excess of 100 mph.