Minnesota News

Rochester police fatally shoot ax-wielding robbery suspect

A Rochester police officer fatally shot a robbery suspect who was armed with an ax, authorities said Saturday.

Police say the man stole cash from a Rochester business in the 2000 block of Broadway Avenue South about 11 p.m. on Friday and fled in a van. Officers located the van about two hours later on Highway 63 just south of the Highway 52 overpass, at which time the suspect got out of the vehicle and charged at an officer who fired his weapon.

Attempts to revive the man failed and he later died from his injuries, police said.

The officer involved in the shooting has been with the department for more than a year but has previous law enforcement experience, authorities said. He has been placed on administrative leave.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the shooting.