Minn. man charged with trying to kill 2 police officers
A 39-year-old West St. Paul man is being held on $1 million bail after being charged with the attempted murder of two police officers.
Justin Thadeus Amick was charged with four felonies by Dakota County authorities related to a March 18 incident in Inver Grove Heights. Amick allegedly fired a gun in the direction of two Inver Grove Heights officers who were responding to emergency calls from neighbors about gunshots in the area. Neither officer was injured.
Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said police chose not to shoot back because there was a bystander in the area. The suspect was arrested soon after the incident near his home in West St. Paul.
"This could have been a disaster, certainly we could have had police officers shot and killed, we could have had citizens in the vicinity shot and killed," Backstrom said. "We're grateful no one was injured in this incident and thankful that the police were able to quickly apprehend the suspect."
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The criminal complaint says Amick was arrested soon after the alleged shooting near his home.
In addition to the first-degree attempted murder charge, Amick also faces charges for assault, illegal possession of a firearm and second-degree attempted murder. Each attempted murder charge carries a maximum penalty of 20 years imprisonment.
Amick has previously been convicted of two felony harassment charges in Dakota and Ramsey County, according to the criminal complaint.
A Dakota County judge set Amick's bail at $1 million Tuesday. His next court appearance is set for May 8.
