Minnesota Statute 609.066 - Deadly Force

Minnesota Revisor ^ | Dec. 25, 2025 | Gov. Tim Waltz

[Mean Daddy]

609.066 AUTHORIZED USE OF DEADLY FORCE BY PEACE OFFICERS.

Subdivision 1.Deadly force defined. For the purposes of this section, "deadly force" means force which the actor uses with the purpose of causing, or which the actor should reasonably know creates a substantial risk of causing, death or great bodily harm. The intentional discharge of a firearm, other than a firearm loaded with less lethal munitions and used by a peace officer within the scope of official duties, in the direction of another person, or at a vehicle in which another person is believed to be, constitutes deadly force. "Less lethal munitions" means projectiles which are designed to stun, temporarily incapacitate, or cause temporary discomfort to a person. "Peace officer" has the meaning given in section 626.84, subdivision 1.

---

TOPICS: Crime/Corruption; Government; News/Current Events; US: Minnesota
KEYWORDS: jan2026darwinaward

[Mean Daddy]

Did a search but didn't find it. Minnesota's statute on use of deadly force by Minnesota law enforcement. Emphasis on vehicle is mine.

[POGO163]

My advice: Jump out of the way of a car first instead of staying there and getting hit.

[palmer]

Means they have no state case to prosecute. He could still be federally prosecuted, but hopefully reasonable people will view it as self-defense after she aimed her vehicle at him.

[HighSierra5]

I don’t like it when cops get out of hand but I’m sure as damn well not going to antagonize them. I’ve found out that if you’re courteous with them, generally they reciprocate. I just want to get home alive.

[Getready]

A 4000 lb. Projectile coming at you is the same as someone firing a bullet at you. The driver “fired” first.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

My advice: Jump out of the way of a car first instead of staying there and getting hit.

Do you mean like what Antifa does when they block traffic?

[pfflier]

I just want to get home alive.

They do too.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

My advice: Jump out of the way of a car first instead of staying there and getting hit.

So it's OK for me to run over Antifa when they block my way and don't jump out of the way, right?

[Apparatchik]

Whether she aimed the car at him or not is irrelevant. The standard for application of lethal force is the perception of the police officer of whether he had reason to believe in that moment that his life or the lives of others were in danger. Her actions, regardless of her intent, is what determines whether a reasonable person would agree that the officer perceived the car was coming at him. Based on the turning of the front wheels in his direction, the car being put into drive, the revving of the engine (as the wheels initially spun on the ice) is enough to meet that standard.

This naïve woman acted rashly, erratically and dangerously in the presence of armed police officers who are trained to respond to potentially lethal actions, and she paid the price. Should be a lesson to all.

[Celtic Conservative]

Find the ICE use of force policy. That’s the one that is applicable.

CC

[traderrob6]

Unsure if you’re being facetious or you’re just a douche. Regardless, it’s an asinine post.

[lightman]

FAFO

She found out.

[frank ballenger]

Our legal system doesn’t permit posthumous trials because the defendant has to be able to make a defense in court.

Minnesota State Laws.
609.2112 Criminal Vehicular Homicide.
Subdivision 1.Criminal vehicular homicide. (a) Except as provided in paragraph (b), a person is guilty of criminal vehicular homicide and may be sentenced to imprisonment for not more than ten years or to payment of a fine of not more than $20,000, or both, if the person causes the death of a human being not constituting murder or manslaughter as a result of operating a motor vehicle:
(1) in a grossly negligent manner;...

///////////////////////////////

Historical and Rare Exceptions: While modern legal systems generally prohibit posthumous trials, there have been rare instances in history where such trials occurred, often for symbolic reasons, to seize the deceased’s estate, or to provide a form of closure for victims’ families.

[Mean Daddy]

My point in posting it was the legislature and governor of Minnesota signed into law protections for their LEs when confronted with a vehicle or other deadly force.

[j.havenfarm]

You are correct. It is a subjective standard, and the prior occasion in which he was dragged and seriously injured is relevant because it informs in part his state of mind when presented with the same scenario

[norcal joe]

My advice: Jump out of the way of a car first instead of staying there and getting hit.

So when a policeman gives a command to someone who is committing a crime, and the person charges the armed policeman with a knife in his/her outstretched hand, what should the policeman do? Run away from the person, or fire his gun at him/her?

[logi_cal869]

By the left’s logic, all pedestrian victims of vehicular impacts are guilty of failure to yield and/or get out of the way.

[alternatives?]

She was ordered three times to get out of the car. She saw him. She hit him with the car.

[Prince of Space]

My advice: Don’t try to drive away after disobeying a federal law enforcement officer’s command to get out of the car after spending hours interfering with an ICE operation.

[Theoria]

Nobody will listen to leo or state and feds after covid or Jan 06. Not gonna happen, for good or bad. Too many bad actors and bad decisions.