The Sherburne County Attorney’s Office completed a review of facts Thursday in the incident involving the exchange of gunfire between a Litchfield man and a Benton County Deputy.

Benton County Chief Deputy Troy Heck says the Attorney’s office determined Deputy Reese was justified in the use of deadly force per Minnesota Statute 609.066 as he was protecting himself from eminent death or great bodily harm.

The Deputy and 43-year-old Christopher Knyphausen exchanged in gunfire during the evening hours of July 31 near Airway Storage. The incident stemmed after Knyphausen called the Benton County Sheriff’s office and said he was going to fire shots at a St. Cloud area storage facility.

Having six month of deputy experience, Deputy Reese returned to his regular duties Thursday after being on standard paid administrative leave since August 1.

Knyphausen remains in the Benton County Jail with bail set at $100,000.