New Details Emerge About Armed Man in Crisis at Rochester TV Station

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- The BCA has released new details regarding the armed man in crisis who died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound outside of a Rochester TV station last week. 

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The armed standoff began on the afternoon of Nov. 30. when Rochester Police intercepted a man threatening to shoot himself anyone who walked by him. Police surrounded his vehicle at KAAL-TV station in southwest Rochester for roughly six hours. 

A previously issued news release from the Rochester Police Department said the man had consumed drugs at some point during the standoff and became more agitated. 

He then fired his gun from inside of a vehicle, which led to officers deploying less than lethal rounds towards the vehicle. The man in crisis responded by shooting at police before fatally shooting himself, the news release said. 

On Wednesday the BCA identified the man in crisis as 34-year-old William Lee Carter of Rochester. The BCA says their preliminary investigation indicates no officers were hurt when Carter opened fire, however one of the rounds did strike a police vehicle. 

The state law enforcement agency also confirmed that no Rochester Police Officers returned fire from their service weapons when Carter started shooting towards officers. Crime scene investigators reported recovering a handgun from Carter’s vehicle, the BCA says. 

The investigation remains ongoing as BCA agents continue combing through footage captured by body-worn cameras, squad cameras and surveillance cameras from nearby businesses. 

Upon the completion of the investigation, the BCA will turn its findings over to the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office for review.

If you or someone you know is having suicidal thoughts, visit the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline website. Resource information is provided for free as well as a chat message service. To speak directly to a professional, call 988. You are not alone and help is available. Every life is important.

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