Blaine burglary suspect shot by police is identified, charged

Scene of a shooting
Authorities cordoned off the scene of the shooting near the intersection of 92nd Avenue Northeast and Fifth Street Northeast in Blaine, Minn., on Thursday, Jan. 22, 2015.
Tim Nelson / MPR News

Prosecutors say a man who was shot by police in Blaine on Thursday had tried to drag a woman out of her car window before he broke into another couple's house and grabbed several kitchen knives.

The Anoka County Attorney's Office has charged Lamar Allen Sullivan-Armstrong, 29, of Minneapolis with attempted aggravated robbery, burglary, and second-degree assault.

The criminal complaint also alleges Sullivan-Armstrong raised a knife as if to stab two Coon Rapids police officers when they reached the doorway of the home at the 100 block of 92nd Avenue as they responded to a 911 call from the homeowner reporting a burglary.

Investigators say as officers approached the front door, the homeowner's boyfriend told them the intruder was still inside the home.

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"Police told him to drop the knife and when he wouldn't, they shot him," the Anoka County Attorney's Office said in a statement.

One officer fired his Taser, and the other fired his gun, striking the man, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Friday. Sullivan-Armstrong was taken to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale and is expected to survive.

It was the first officer-related shooting in Blaine in 25 years.

The two officers involved are Adam Jacobson, a 9-year-veteran of the department, and Hans Link, who has been with the department for two years. Both officers are on standard administrative leave.

The BCA is investigating the officer-involved shooting at the request of Blaine police. The BCA said it will turn over its findings to the Anoka County Sheriff's Office for review when its investigation is complete.

Public records show Sullivan-Armstrong doesn't have a serious criminal history. Aside from minor traffic violations, he pleaded guilty to possessing marijuana more than a decade ago. His Facebook page lists him as self-employed and having studied at North Hennepin Community College.

North Memorial did not immediately return a call requesting Sullivan-Armstrong's status in the hospital.