Rochester Man on Probation Faces New Felony Charges

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A 19-year-old Rochester man on probation for a previous felony assault conviction is facing new felony charges.

Olmsted County court records show that Solomon Ojulu Obang was placed on probation for five years after he admitted to aiding and abetting third-degree assault for an attack on a man at a Rochester business in September of last year. A surveillance video recording of the attack shows Obang kicking the victim in the head in a “stomping-like motion” that sent the victim to the hospital to be treated for a brain bleed.

READ MORE: Assault Caught on Video: Guilty Plea in Rochester Attack Case

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Court records also show that, the day before he was sentenced in that case, Obang was charged with gross misdemeanor third-degree riot and fifth-degree assault in connection with a fight that occurred in the parking lot of a Rochester public high school in late April. The charges in that case allege that Obang was recorded on a cell phone video striking the victim on the head.

Cell Phone Video Captures School Parking Lot Fight

The new charges against Obang stem from an incident that occurred on October 2. The criminal complaint says a woman called law enforcement and reported that he was inside a business where she was working and that he had a gun in his backpack. The court document says another witness told police that Obang had been involved in an altercation the previous night and brandished a knife, while the other man involved in the dispute discharged a firearm.

The criminal complaint says the responding officer then spotted Obang and activated his squad car’s emergency lights in an attempt to stop him, but Obang allegedly took off running. Officers caught up with him on a nearby bike path and reported finding a 9mm bullet inside a satchel he was carrying.

Obang Accused of Escaping Custody in Hospital Gown

According to the court document, Obang was then taken to the hospital due to concerns that he had ingested controlled substances. It’s alleged that when he was discharged from the hospital the following day, and before he could be brought to the Olmsted County Jail, Obang ran away while still wearing a blue hospital gown.

Obang is now charged with illegal possession of ammunition or a firearm and a felony count of escape from custody, along with a misdemeanor count of fleeing police. His bail is set at $10,000.