Deputies who fatally shot teen identified
The Carver County Sheriff's Office deputies who discharged their guns in the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old have been identified.
Author: KARE Staff
Published: 5:51 PM CDT July 17, 2018
Updated: 10:31 PM CDT July 17, 2018
CHANHASSEN, Minn. - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified the deputies who discharged their weapons in the fatal shooting of a teenager in Chanhassen.
Carver County Sheriff's deputies responded to a home in Chanhassen on July 13 after a woman called 911 reporting that her son was suicidal and was threatening her with knives and a baseball bat, according to the BCA.
When deputies arrived, the son, 16-year-old Archer Amorosi, refused orders to exit the house, the BCA says. According to the BCA, deputies deployed a Taser and pepper spray through a window but they were ineffective. The BCA says Amorosi ran out of the home with a hatchet and what appeared to be a handgun, and deputies deployed a Taser again. At one point two deputies shot their weapons, striking and killing Amorosi, according to the BCA.
On Tuesday, the BCA identified the deputies who discharged their guns as Corporal Jacob Hodge, who has been with the Carver County Sheriff's Office for 18 years, and Deputy Travis Larson, who has been with the department for two years. The BCA says Larson also deployed a Taser and pepper spray.
Larson and Hodge are on standard administrative leave, according to the BCA.
A third deputy, Corporal Josh Baker, was identified as using his Taser. He has been with the department 11 years.
The BCA says investigators found a hatchet and a handgun-style BB gun near Amorosi's body. There was no one else inside the house at the time of the shooting, the BCA says. They report that Amorosi died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Deputy Larson was treated for non-life-threatening injuries after the incident.
Minnetonka High School has identified Amorosi as an incoming junior.
"This situation is heartbreaking and I want to extend my thoughts and prayers to Archer's parents and family, his friends, and the entire Minnetonka High School community. I know this situation is particularly devastating to those of you who knew Archer well," Principal Jeff Erickson wrote in an email that was sent to school families.
"Archer was talented--in and out of the classroom--and greatly enjoyed representing MHS in athletic competition," Erickson continued. "Archer excelled in lacrosse and football--most notably this spring as lacrosse was in the run for the State championship. He had a strong group of friends and highly valued those relationships. He will be deeply missed."
A man who identified himself as Amorosi's father on the shooting scene told KARE 11 the teen was dealing with mental health issues.
"My ex-wife called them because they said if they came back they would take him in for an evaluation. They said wouldn't ask questions," the father stated. "Instead, they killed him."
Body cameras and dash camera video captured parts of the incident and the BCA says its investigation is ongoing.
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