Man killed in St. Louis County deputy shooting identified; state investigators detail pursuit and gunfire in Duluth

Identification and basic timeline

Authorities have identified the man killed in a deputy-involved shooting in Duluth, Minnesota, as Donald Felver III, 30, of Duluth. The fatal encounter occurred Feb. 10, 2026, during what investigators described as an attempted traffic stop that escalated into a pursuit and an exchange of gunfire.

The incident is being handled as a critical incident, with the deputies involved placed on leave while the investigation proceeds. The case has drawn attention because it involves St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office deputies from Minnesota, not agencies in the St. Louis, Missouri region.

Deputies involved and what investigators say happened

State investigators have identified the deputies who fired their weapons as St. Louis County Sgt. Joshua Berndt and Deputy Matthew Sobczak. Investigators reported that both deputies discharged their department-issued firearms during the encounter.

In a preliminary account, investigators said deputies attempted to stop a driver observed operating erratically on Grand Avenue shortly before 9:45 p.m. Felver allegedly fled, and deputies pursued. The pursuit ended after deputies used a precision immobilization technique (PIT maneuver), which turned the vehicle sideways in the roadway.

Investigators said deputies then exited their vehicles, issued verbal commands, and gunfire came from inside Felver’s vehicle in the direction of the deputies. The deputies returned fire, striking Felver, who was alone in the vehicle. He was pronounced dead at the scene, and authorities reported no injuries to deputies.

Evidence collected and investigative process

Investigators reported recovering a handgun and spent casings from inside Felver’s vehicle. They also said body-worn camera footage captured parts of the incident.

The St. Louis County Sheriff’s Office requested an outside agency review the use of force. The investigation is being led by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is expected to present its findings to the St. Louis County Attorney’s Office for review once completed.

What remains unresolved

• The full sequence of events leading from the initial attempted stop to the final confrontation.
• How many rounds were fired and the precise timing of shots relative to commands and vehicle movements.
• Whether any additional evidence—such as forensic testing, trajectory analysis, or extended video—changes the preliminary narrative.

Authorities have stated the investigation will be submitted for prosecutorial review after state agents complete their work.

The case remains under investigation, and the initial description of events may be refined as forensic results and video review are completed.