Adam Clinton Wolf Dies in Fatal Duluth Shooting
Adam Clinton Wolf, a 57-year-old man, died from gunshot wounds after being shot by deputies during a pursuit in Duluth on Tuesday morning.
The incident occurred in rural St. Louis County. Sheriff’s deputies fatally shot Adam Clinton Wolf after receiving multiple reports about his actions in the Normanna Township area. The first major concern was a fire at Wolf’s home. According to dispatch records, Wolf allegedly started a blaze in his Normanna Township residence sometime after 9:30 a.m. A resident reported seeing Wolf spray gasoline on their property before the fire began.
Emergency dispatch communications revealed the fatal shooting happened around 9:50 a.m. Sheriff Gordon Ramsay confirmed Wolf resisted arrest, describing the encounter as chaotic and dangerous. Five deputies fired their weapons during the incident.
Deputies were initially called to the scene after a neighbor reported Wolf spraying gasoline on their home and setting it ablaze. A second caller reported seeing Wolf with a rifle. Wolf allegedly set another residence on fire before deputies arrived. A volunteer firefighter responded to help extinguish the flames, but had to take cover after hearing gunshots.
A new neighbor, Bob Swanfeld, described Wolf as a longstanding problem for the residents in the area. Julie Johnson’s parents, who lived next door, had obtained a restraining order against Wolf, alongside several others in the neighborhood. A fence was even built between the Johnsons’ and Wolf’s property due to the conflict.
Neighbor Dennis Gunsolus expressed frustration about the lack of information after the incident. He stated he had predicted such an outcome and mentioned ongoing complaints from Wolf regarding a septic system and tree placement, even protesting a fence by running a diesel truck through the neighborhood late at night.
Sheriff Ramsay mentioned that Wolf had allegedly prepared several homemade devices intended to fire projectiles at first responders. The five deputies involved have been placed on administrative leave. Wolf has a documented history of conflicts with neighbors, including past harassment charges and a recent October incident involving homophobic slurs.
Dispatch reports detailed the sequence of events leading up to the confrontation. One caller reported Wolf approaching their home on a golf cart, spraying a substance and setting it on fire. He reportedly fled the scene and was later seen operating a lawn mower with a rifle in a different yard. Dispatchers noted Wolf was last seen wearing earmuffs and driving a red lawn mower with a rifle in his lap, also appearing to have a flare gun.
During the incident, deputies reported hearing the sound of a lawn mower engine and seeing what one described as a crashed lawn mower near the road. The exchange culminated with deputies reporting shots being fired and the suspect being taken into custody after being shot down.
