ALBERT LEA, Minn. – This is how the standoff evolved:
First responders. Police received a complaint about excessive noise – either fireworks or gunshots — at Shady Oaks apartments at 2:18 a.m. That’s when an officer was ambushed, hit in the chest by a round from a high-powered rifle. Two other shots hit the squad car. The officer tactically relocated to a safe zone, assessed his injuries, and drove himself to a hospital. He was treated and released. Additional officers responded and established a perimeter.
Evacuation. The shooter continued firing off and on at police from inside the building. The building was cleared in an attempt to isolate the shooter.
SWAT teams. Other police units arrived. These included the South Central Drug Investigation Unit; River Valley Tactical Team; Austin/Mower Special Incident Response Team; Minnesota State Patrol Special Response Team; Washington County SWAT Team; the Freeborn, Dodge, Mower, Steele and Waseca County sheriff’s offices; the Albert Lea, Waseca, Owatonna and Minneapolis police departments; Albert Lea Fire Rescue; Mayo Clinic Ambulance Service; Mayo Clinic Health System (Albert Lea); Freeborn, Mower, Winona and Dodge County emergency management agencies; and Freeborn County Public Health.
Afermath. A Minnesota State Patrol trooper discharged a firearm. The shooter sustained shrapnel injuries and surrendered. Two other men, ages 52 and 38, were wounded during the course of the day. They were taken to the Albert Lea hospital, then flown to Rochester to be examined further. Most tenants of the building returned to their apartments or went to. hotels for them for the night.
Body found
Police found human remains while evacuating the Shady Oaks apartment building. They didn’t believe the death as connected to the police standoff. The cause of death was under investigation.
Shady Oaks
The 176-unit apartment building, at 800 Fourth Avenue South, is subsidized housing operated by the Albert Lea Housing and Redevelopment Authority.
Albert Lea
Population: 18,000
27 police officers