Search fatalities

Christopher Knels

Gender : Male

Age : 31

Race : White

Date : 06/02/2025

Location : Interstate Avenue North

City : East Fairview

County : McKenzie

State : North Dakota

Agency : McKenzie County Sheriff's Office; Williams County Sheriff's Office

Officer(s) :Not Disclosed

Cause of Death : Gunshot

Event : Killed by police during mental health crisis call

OPEN RECORDS SUMMARY :

Deputies responded around 12:52 a.m. to a call about a suicidal man, later identified as Christopher Knels, at a residence on Interstate Avenue North in East Fairview. Other individuals in the residence were safely evacuated. Deputies attempted to contact Knels without success and called in the Williams County Negotiation Task Force. The task force reached Knels by phone, but he later exited the residence and pointed a firearm toward law enforcement. A McKenzie County deputy opened fire, striking Knels several times. He retreated into the residence, where deputies found him and attempted medical aid. Knels was transported to Sidney Health Center and pronounced dead. A firearm was recovered near his body. The North Dakota Bureau of Criminal Investigation is conducting an independent investigation.

SOURCE LINKS :

https://www.roundupweb.com/story/2025/06/05/news/new-details-emerge-on-officer-involved-shooting/21390.html
https://www.kfyrtv.com/2025/06/02/officer-involved-shooting-mckenzie-county/
https://www.facebook.com/McKenzieCountySheriffsOffice/posts/1112704267560089
https://www.bismarcktribune.com/news/state-regional/crime-courts/article_f2e45c79-0e6d-447b-b4a9-a49fe55456bd.html