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There was an alleged assault at Wyoming Fairview Emergency Department Christmas night, called in about 5:20 p.m. and a security guard for Fairview reportedly succumbed to injuries sustained in encountering the subject.  

An officer responding to the reported assault at the facility and the alleged offender, identified as 35 year old Jonathan Winch, Chisago City, had a physical struggle as the subject was fleeing the facility.  The subject was detained eventually without the use of a weapon, according to Wyoming Chief of Police Neil Bauer.  Winch is being held at Chisago County Jail.

 Winch had been placed on a  law enforcement hold for that incident but is now facing potentially more serious charges. The security guard was initially brought to another medical facility for  treatment, but Chief Bauer reported  December 27 the guard passed away.  She is identified as Andrea Merrell, 43, of North Branch.  Chief Bauer says the investigation is ongoing with details being verified and more information should be forthcoming when the county attorney’s office has reviewed the information.

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