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A North Branch man who was reported to 9-1-1 as a suicidal person with a large knife or machete, and who subsequently was shot by responding law enforcement officers, was to be being sentenced November 28, but sentencing has been postponed and no new date has been set.

Erik Hammer, 31, has entered guilty pleas to violating a no contact order- domestic abuse and second degree assault.  

A pre-sentence investigation will be presented to Judge Dowdal for the sentencing.  The offenses could carry a seven year sentence.

Hammer was located by North Branch Police and a sheriff deputy September 30, 2022 at an address on  Oak Ridge Court,  near the home of a woman he was not supposed to have contact with.  

Hammer was said to be uncooperative when officers ordered him to put the knife down.

To apprehend Hammer, the deputy fired less-than-lethal rounds from a special firearm, and two North Branch Police Officers fired their patrol rifles. 

Hammer was transported for multiple gunshot wounds, and hospitalized for a short time.

Body-worn cameras aided in the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s investigation, which was forwarded to Isanti County to avoid any conflict of interest.  The Isanti County Attorney concluded the officers’ use of force was justified.

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