On 02/15/2025 at approximately 9:34 a.m., Stearns County Deputies were dispatched to a domestic at the address of 25327 County Road 34 in Paynesville Township. Deputies were able to contact the victim and determined there was probable cause to arrest Nicholas Kaufenberg, 58, of Paynesville Township. Phone contact was made with Kaufenberg, who refused to come out and meet with deputies and made threatening comments towards the deputies if they attempted to come inside his residence. Kaufenberg made comments of having several firearms and that he was willing to use them. The Stearns-Benton SWAT team was activated at 1:50 p.m. and responded to the scene. Negotiators with the Stearns-Benton Swat contacted Kaufenberg and attempted to negotiate his surrender. After several hours of unsuccessful negotiation at 7:35 p.m. SWAT members breached a bedroom window of the residence. After the window was breached Kaufenberg fired multiple rounds from a shotgun at officers. One deputy was struck in his safety glasses by suspected birdshot from the shotgun. The SWAT team had deployed multiple armored vehicles to the location for the protection of its members. From the initial investigation, it is believed that additional officers were protected using the armored vehicles. Kaufenberg was taken into custody without further incident. No injuries were reported to Kaufenberg or officers involved. Kaufenberg was transported to the Stearns County Jail where he was booked. He will be held pending formal charges from the Stearns County Attorney’s Office. Investigators completed a search warrant at the address. Investigators located multiple firearms along with spent shell casings inside the residence. Armored vehicles are provided through the 10-33 Law Enforcement Support Program. The program allows local law enforcement to purchase excess military equipment to support local efforts.
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