The Grand Forks Sheriff’s Department has released additional details into the Sunday shooting by two deputies that left a 37-year old man hospitalized.
Among the new information is that after the suspect – identified as Joseph Espinoza – crashed a stolen vehicle after hitting speeds of 90 mph on Highway 81 south of Grand Forks. Authorities say Espinoza later broke into a residence at 877 10th Street Northeast.
Two people were home at the time. Authorities say at one point one of the homeowners fired rounds from a gun in an attempt to push Espinoza out. A struggle ensued over the weapon before the suspect gained control and fired several shots. During the struggle the male homeowner received minor injuries to his hand – and a female homeowner was struck in the face.
The deputies who arrived on the scene have been identified as Corporal Brandon Rakoczy and Deputy Dustin Wadholm. Grand Forks Sheriff Andy Schneider said deputies fired their weapons after repeated commands for Espinoza to drop the gun.
“Espinoza was struck in the upper left leg in the femur area,” Schneider said. “That’s requiring some attention. He suffered some other injuries from actions prior to encountering law enforcement that he obtained by breaking into the residence.”
Both deputies are on standard administrative leave pending the outcome of an internal review of the incident.
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