Authorities Justified in Shooting Standoff Suspect

The Washington County Attorney's Office has cleared Woodbury officer James Stoffel and Washington County deputy Brian Krook of any wrongdoing in a standoff involving Donald Eugene Roche, 61. A memorandum sent to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension on Thursday confirmed that the officers acted appropriately during the incident that occurred on April 22. Roche has since pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including second-degree assault and financial transaction fraud, and is set for sentencing on September 30. The incident began when Roche allegedly stole a wallet from a construction site in Oakdale and subsequently purchased four wrenches valued at approximately $1,800 from Home Depot. Officers were dispatched to Target around 9 a.m. to apprehend him, but they retreated when Roche brandished what appeared to be a handgun. This led to a tense standoff as Roche returned to his vehicle, ultimately exiting with the revolver. Despite officers' commands to raise his hands, Roche pointed the weapon at several officers and took cover behind his vehicle. As he approached Deputy Krook while still holding the gun, Krook fired four rounds, striking Roche once. The weapon was later determined to be designed to resemble a firearm. During his plea hearing, Roche acknowledged that the police had "every right" to shoot him, expressing a desire for the officers to end his life rather than face imprisonment again.