Officer with ties to Isanti shot in Mahnomen County

A Mahnomen County sheriff’s deputy who grew up in Isanti was shot Wednesday morning.
Christopher Dewey, 26, is listed in critical but stable condition following surgery Wednesday at MeritCare hospital in Fargo.
He was shot in the head and abdomen by a high-powered rifle.
THE INCIDENT
According to the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Department, Dewey responded to the call of a possible drunk driver leaving the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen at about 4 a.m. on Feb. 18. The vehicle fled the scene. Dewey discovered it parked near the county courthouse. Footprints led to a nearby residence.
When Dewey’s partner attempted to make contact with Dewey and was unable to, the officer went to the scene shortly after 7 a.m. and found Dewey lying shot in the driveway.
Dewey was stabilized at Mahnomen Health Center and transferred to MeritCare Hospital, Fargo, via LifeFlight. He arrived at 8:25 a.m.
Members of over 12 different law enforcement agencies surrounded a nearby home all day, attempting to take the suspects into custody. Two were arrested and were expected to be charged on Thursday.
TWO SURGERIES
Two surgeries have been performed on Dewey since his arrival at MeritCare.
Dr. Robert Sticca, a general surgeon, performed the abdomen surgery. There was an entrance and exit wound with laceration to the liver, which was repaired.
The victim also suffered one gun shot wound to the head resulting in a severe brain injury. Dr. Chad Justesen, a neurosurgeon, completed surgery at 1:20 p.m., approximately four hours later. Dewey is listed in critical condition. It is too soon to know what his prognosis is, according to hospital representatives.
The hospital was locked down on Wednesday. Additional supplies, such as blood, MeritCare staff and security were sent to Mahnomen in preparation for the possibility of more victims. Chaplains were also sent to assist.
FOOTBALL PLAYER
On his myspace page, Dewey lists Isanti as his hometown.
Dewey graduated from Cambridge-Isanti High School in 2001. He was on the football team.
He next went on to earn an associate’s degree in law enforcement from Hibbing Community College in 2003.
Dewey married one and one-half years ago; he has no children. He has been working for the Mahnomen County Sheriff’s Department for the past four years.