Preliminary autopsy shows suspect died of self-inflicted wounds

Preliminary autopsy results for Quincy Adam Pederson, a robbery suspect who died after his vehicle crashed when he was fleeing from law enforcement on Tuesday, May 5, 2009, have determined that the 38-year-old man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Sheriff Mark Falk said today that the St. Louis County Medical Examiner reported that there were no other gunshot wounds.

The pursuit and Pederson’s death came about after Cook County Law Enforcement was informed that Pederson was wanted for an armed robbery and assault in Maplewood, MN. He was reported to be armed and dangerous. Pederson was spotted in Cook County on May 4 and evaded arrest in the Lutsen area. Cook County Sheriff Deputies, along with the US Border Patrol, the Minnesota State Patrol and Conservation Officers, Lake County Sheriff Deputies and the United States Forest Service searched for Pederson, with the assistance of a United States Border Patrol Black Hawk Helicopter and a Minnesota State Patrol airplane.

A Cook County Highway Department employee reported seeing the vehicle Pederson was believed to have been driving on County Road 60 on May 5. Law enforcement officers responded immediately and attempted to stop Pederson, who drove straight at one of the squad cars, forcing a deputy off the road. Shots were fired and Pederson lost control of the vehicle. When law enforcement successfully reached him, after approaching his vehicle with caution, Pederson was found deceased inside the vehicle.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is investigating the incident as an officer-involved shooting. A toxicology report on Pederson is still pending.