The Washington County Attorney announced on Thursday, August 15, that the use of force by a sheriff’s deputy and a police officer was justified in an April shooting outside a Target store in Woodbury. The incident involved 61-year-old Donald Eugene Roche of Rockford, Minnesota, who was shot and wounded after he pointed a pellet gun, resembling a real firearm, at the officers during a standoff.
Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Krook and Woodbury Police Officer James Stoffel responded to the situation, which stemmed from Roche’s involvement in a reported burglary and credit card fraud. In his statement, County Attorney Kevin Magnuson emphasized that Roche deliberately endangered the officers’ lives to provoke a reaction, but fortunately, the force used was not lethal.
Roche, who was charged with two counts of second-degree assault, pleaded guilty in July and is scheduled for sentencing in September. The decision to clear the officers came after a thorough investigation by the Minnesota Department of Criminal Apprehension.