Two 19-year-olds now charged with attempted first-degree murder, after shootout with police

Shot at police during chase that got up to 100 mph. 

CALEDONIA, Minn. — They were in a shootout with La Crescent police, before leading them on a high-speed chase through Houston County.

Now, Wyatt Helfrich has been sent to Minnesota and has already been brought before a judge there on charges resulting from the shooting.

Wednesday, Helfrich was transferred from La Crosse, where he was jailed after a brief trip to a hospital following his arrest Monday.

He and a co-defendant, William Wallraff, both 19 years old, were charged with seven crimes, including two counts each for attempted first-degree murder, first and second-degree assault and fleeing police.

The two allegedly fired shots at La Crescent police officers Ryan Quanrud and Christopher Frick during a traffic stop around 1:30 a.m.

After, they took off reaching speeds of up to 100 miles per hour as police pursued from La Crescent, through Hokah and to Caledonia.

During the chase, Helfrich, driving, would slow down to lure the squad car closer, so Wallraff could shoot at the officers.

They were stopped with spike strips and crashed into a ditch on Hwy. 44 in Caledonia.

The two tried to run – leaving behind a shotgun, another rifle and ammunition – but soon surrendered.