Medina Man Charged In Machete Attack On Deputy

MEDINA (AP) - Authorities have charged a 23-year-old Medina man after they say he attacked a sheriff's deputy with a machete.

     Donald Nichols was charged Tuesday with second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault. Authorities say Nichols was wearing body armor and a helmet last week when his parents called 911 saying he was suicidal.

Authorities say they found him in Hamel with the machete. They say Nichols rushed at a deputy with the machete after the deputy shot him with a Taser.

The department said Tuesday that Medina Sgt. Jason Nelson shot Nichols as he tried to stab the deputy. Nelson was placed on paid administrative leave and has worked on the force for 14 years.

Nichols was initially hospitalized and now is in the Hennepin County jail on $150,000 bond. Online jail records didn't indicate an attorney.