BCA identifies officers involved in fatal shooting of North Branch mother

Authorities have identified the two officers involved in the fatal shooting of a 36-year-old mother in North Branch last month, releasing more details about the incident that resulted in her death.

Jamie Ann Crabtree, of North Branch, died from multiple gunshot wounds when an officer fired with his service rifle during the incident on June 27 after police had been called because she was allegedly drunk, armed and suicidal.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension identified the officer who fired his rifle as Duane Southworth, who has two years of law enforcement experience.

Officer Kyle Miller, who has a year-and-a-half of experience, used non-lethal PepperBall rounds in the incident.

They are both currently on leaves as the incident continues.

According to the BCA, police received a report that Crabtree was "walking down the street with a bottle of alcohol and a gun in a case."

The officers arrived and ordered Crabtree to drop the gun, which the BCA says "she did not knowledge," prompting Miller to fire PepperBall rounds.

Per the BCA: "Crabtree can be seen on squad car camera appearing to point an object at the officers. That's when Southworth fired his rifle multiple times, striking Crabtree."

A handgun and a gun case were recovered from the scene. Footage from squad cars and officers are being reviewed by the BCA, but it notes that they only captured "portions of the incident."

A GoFundMe has been created to support Crabtree's family. She was a wife and mother of an 11-year-old daughter and 6-year-old son.

“She loved her family, her friends and had such a big heart for animals. She was a very caring person and easy to get along with. She will forever be missed,” the fundraiser read.

Her husband, Nicholas Williams, told the Star Tribune that she had been struggling with mental illness, and said "suicide by cop" was among the comments she had made when he called 911 after she left home with a handgun.

Williams was critical of the time it took for police to render aid to his wife, claiming they waited around 15 minutes after opening fire to provide help, saying they spent that time telling the "lifeless" Crabtree to roll away from her gun.

She was later pronounced dead at Lakes Region Emergency Medical Services.

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or reach the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255). You can also text MN to 741741

Note: The details provided in this story are based on law enforcement’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.