BCA releases identity of deputy involved in Isanti use-of-force incident

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office deputy who used force during the Aug. 5 use-of-force incident in the city of Isanti involving Jason Michael Phillips, 42.   

• Deputy Brian Torborg fired his department-issued firearm. He has 27 years of law enforcement experience. 

According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, an Isanti police officer and Isanti County Sheriff’s deputy responded to a disturbance call of a male throwing items into the street on the 800 block of Cedar Street at 2 p.m. on Aug. 5. When they arrived, they saw an adult male, later identified as Phillips, retreat into the home. 

An extended standoff with Phillips followed. During the standoff, Deputy Torborg fired one round. SWAT team members eventually entered the residence and took Phillips into custody. Phillips’ wife and multiple children were also located inside the home and transported to a local hospital for evaluation. They were evaluated and released a short time later.

Phillips was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated. He was uninjured and was released a short time later and booked into Isanti county jail. No law enforcement officers were injured. 

BCA crime scene personnel recovered multiple firearms to include rifles and shotguns throughout the home along with spent cartridge casings.  Body-worn cameras, along with in-car squad cameras, were in use and captured portions of this incident. 

The Isanti Police Department requested the BCA investigate this use-of-force incident. Once the investigation is complete, the BCA will present its findings without recommendation to the Isanti County Attorney’s Office for review.