BCA releases names of officers involved in Albert Lea shooting
Published 8:43 am Monday, January 7, 2019
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension released the names of the three officers involved in a shooting Thursday morning that resulted in the death of an Albert Lea man.
Lt. Darin Palmer
All three have been placed on standard administrative leave.
Albert Lea Police Department Lt. Darin Palmer and Officer Jesus Cantu reportedly discharged their guns during the incident, and Officer Jason Taylor deployed a Taser and a chemical irritant, according to a BCA press release. Palmer and Taylor have been with the department for 18 years, and Cantu has been with the department for 20.
The release stated Taylor received a minor sharp force injury and was treated for his injury by Gold Cross Ambulance personnel.
Officer Jesus Cantu
The Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office stated Joseph Alan Roberts, 27, of Albert Lea died of multiple gunshot wounds.
Though the BCA offered some details into the incident, many questions remain.
The agency stated officers responded to a 911 call of “a disturbance” involving Roberts at a home at 317 Court St. in Albert Lea, but by the time officers arrived, Roberts had fled the home. They subsequently pursued him on foot, and the pursuit ended in the north-south section of the alley between Court and West College streets.
Officer Jason Taylor
At one point during the encounter with Roberts, Taylor was injured.
Taylor deployed his chemical irritant and his Taser, and Palmer and Cantu shot their firearms. Roberts was struck and pronounced deceased at the scene.
The officers were not wearing body cameras; however, squad cameras were operating at the time and captured portions of the incident.
The BCA stated Albert Lea police officers attempted lifesaving measures.
Crime scene personnel recovered a knife at the scene where the shooting occurred and continue to gather evidence, interview witnesses and officers involved.
The BCA is investigating the incident at the request of the Albert Lea Police Department, and once the investigation is complete, the BCA will turn its findings over without a recommendation to the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office for review.
