WOODBURY, Minn. – The man officers shot in Woodbury during a standoff outside a Target store is now accused of assault.
In addition to two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, 61-year-old Donald Eugene Roche has also been charged with financial transaction fraud and third-degree burglary.
According to the indictment, on the morning of April 22, Roche stole a wallet from a construction site in Oakdale and went to a Home Depot, where he purchased four keys worth a total of approximately $1,800.
He then went to the Target at Valley Creek Plaza, where he bought an iPad, socks, a $200 Visa gift card and two Tracfone minute cards. In total, he allegedly made fraudulent purchases worth approximately $1,500 at Target, although he repeatedly attempted to make other purchases totaling $7,100.
Officers were called to the Target around 9 a.m. and attempted to arrest him, but retreated when they saw what appeared to be a gun, the charges say. Roche then went back to his van.
Authorities then set up a perimeter at the target, and on body camera footage, officers can be heard yelling “gun,” the charges continue. Roche was said to be carrying a pistol-style BB gun.
The standoff lasted about an hour. Roche eventually got out of his van and placed the gun on the hood, with the barrel pointed toward law enforcement, the documents state. He was hit with less-lethal bullets and then pointed the gun in the direction of law enforcement.
Then, Woodbury Police Officer James Stoffel fired his department rifle, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. Roche then continued to hold the gun despite calls for him to drop it. Then Washington County Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Krook fired his department’s gun.
Woodbury Police
Roche was struck by gunfire and taken to a hospital, where he continues to recover from his injuries. He is in a stable condition.
The BCA continues to investigate the officers’ use of force and will submit their findings to the Washington County Attorney’s Office.
WCCO personnel
