WOODBURY, Minn. — The man injured in a "use-of-force" incident outside a Target in Woodbury on Monday allegedly pointed a pistol-style BB gun at law enforcement before an officer and a deputy opened fire, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The new details were released Friday along with the names of the man injured and the officers involved, including the two who fired their guns.
The man injured is 63-year-old Donald Roche, who is currently in serious condition after being struck by gunfire, the BCA said. It's unclear how many shots were fired or how many times Roche was hit.
The BCA identified the two law enforcement officials who fired their weapons as Woodbury officer James Stoffel and Washington County sheriff's deputy Brian Krook. According to a release, Stoffel, an 11-year law enforcement veteran, shot his rifle and Krook, who has 13 years of law enforcement experience, fired a handgun. It's unclear which shot or shots struck Roche.
The BCA says four other officers were involved in the incident and used "less-than-lethal" or "non-lethal" force, including 40 millimeter and PepperBall chemical irritants. Officers Scott Melander and Matthew Noren with the Woodbury Police Department each used "less-than-lethal" force, as did Cottage Grove officer Matthew Sorgaard. Officer Benjamin Deitner with the Cottage Grove Police Department used "non-lethal" force, according to the BCA.
The incident occurred after two Woodbury Police license plate readers alerted officers of a vehicle and the person associated with the vehicle being wanted in a "felony-level crime," according to the BCA. The release goes on to say that officers attempted to arrest Roche as he was walking back to the car. While attempting to arrest him, the BCA says Roche displayed what appeared to be a handgun, forcing officers to retreat.
Roche got back into his vehicle, and law enforcement began negotiating. At one point during the negotiations, "less-than-lethal" force was used. Roche eventually got out of the car and ignored officers' commands, according to the BCA. The release says Roche then pulled out what appeared to be a handgun, and that's when Officer Stoffel and Deputy Krook fired their guns. Both Stoffel and Krook are on standard administrative leave, according to the release.
Officials say a pistol-style BB gun was recovered at the scene. The BCA didn't release what the "felony-level crime" was, however, officers said on Monday that the vehicle was reported stolen.
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