BCA Identifies Deputies Who Used Force in Chanhassen Incident
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Department of Public Safety Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the people involved in a use-of-force incident May 4 in Chanhassen.
Thirty-one-year-old Derek West of Bloomington was shot multiple times and is in stable condition at Hennepin County Medical Center.
Two Carver County sheriff’s deputies used force during this incident.
Both are on critical incident leave.
- James Horvath fired his department handgun. He has 19 years of law enforcement experience.
- Benjamin Sinko fired his department handgun. He has four-and-a-half years of law enforcement experience.
According to the preliminary investigation, Carver County sheriff’s deputies responded to a home in Chanhassen in the afternoon of May 4 on reports of a domestic incident. They were standing outside, speaking with the person who made the call when West came out of the home, holding a knife and wearing a white face covering. He ran at the deputies, ignoring commands to stop and drop the knife. One of the deputies stumbled backward and fell as West continued running toward them. Horvath and Sinko both shot at West, striking him multiple times.
The deputies performed life-saving care until West could be transported to the hospital where he remains in stable condition.
BCA crime scene personnel recovered a 10-inch knife at the scene, along with cartridge casings.
Horvath and Sinko were wearing body cameras that captured portions of the incident. BCA agents are reviewing all available video as part of the active investigation.
The Carver County Sheriff’s Office asked the BCA to investigate this incident. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without a charging recommendation to the Carver County Attorney’s Office for review.
