Trooper injured, two horses killed near Wanamingo - WXOW News 19 La Crosse, WI – News, Weather and Sports |

Trooper injured, two horses killed near Wanamingo

NEAR WANAMINGO, Minn. (KTTC) -- A state trooper was hurt after hitting two horses on his way to an armed robbery.

Trooper Stephen Willert, 37, was driving at a high rate of speed with his lights flashing when he struck and killed two horses along Highway 57 and 490th Street at about 3:30 a.m. Monday.

The two horses were out trail riding Sunday night, according to the owners. After putting the horses back in their pen, the owners said they must have forgotten to link the chain, completely locking the gates.

The trooper was responding to Northfield for an armed robbery at the Americas Best Value Inn. Investigators say Eric Forcier, 26, of Northfield, robbed the hotel and then started shooting at officers before fleeing the scene.

Forcier was arrested shortly after 11 a.m. in a wooded area not far from the Cannon River.

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