Investigation Clears Rochester Officer Involved in Shooting
Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Rochester Police Department has announced that an investigation has cleared a Rochester police officer of any potential criminal charges in connection with a shooting that occurred in August.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says Officer James Perry fired his gun at a vehicle after the driver struck another officer who was on foot at the time. Police reports indicated the motorist, identified as 26-year-old Dawante Atkins, also rammed into two police squad cars while he was being pursued by officers in the parking lot of an apartment complex in the 3400 block of Kenosha Drive Northwest in the early morning hours of August 12th. Atkins then drove into a nearby field, where officers used a Taser to subdue him.
He was not injured and the officer who was struck by the vehicle was treated for non-life-threatening injuries.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigated the incident and the agency's findings were reviewed by Mower County Attorney Kristen Nelson to avoid any potential conflict of interest.
“We are committed to providing the highest level of public safety to the community and are grateful no one was seriously hurt during this incident,” says Police Chief Jim Franklin. “We are conducting a thorough internal review and using this opportunity to enhance our critical incident training.”
The news release on the findings of the investigation indicates charges are still pending against Atkins. Court records show he has been convicted of driving with a revoked license 21 times since 2016, including 9 times since February 2019.
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