Minnesotan charged with shooting at helicopter

Published 10:04 am Wednesday, August 10, 2016

BAGLEY — A 71-year-old man has been charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting at a U.S. Customs and Border Protection helicopter in northern Minnesota and injuring a Polk County sheriff’s deputy.

Authorities say the helicopter flew over Carstie Lee Clausen’s house at about 10 a.m. Monday while investigating a suspected marijuana operation. Bullets shattered a window and showered the deputy with glass and fragments. The helicopter made an emergency landing at the Fosston airport.

Bail was set Tuesday at $150,000 with conditions or $300,000 without conditions.

Email newsletter signup

According to the complaint, Clausen told investigators he considered the helicopter flights over his property to be harassment. Besides attempted second-degree murder, the charges also include use of force against a peace officer.