Police: Man Tries to Kill Rochester Woman in Parking Lot

Rochester, MN (KROC AM News) - “Thankfully, the gun jammed.” That’s what a Rochester police officer said Friday as he released information about what could have been a homicide in the city.

RPD Capt. Casey Moilanen says a 50-year-old woman was in the parking lot of The Square on 31st apartment complex Thursday morning when she saw a former neighbor nearby.

Moilanen says as the woman began walking to the man he suddenly pulled out a handgun, pointed it at her and pulled the trigger. The gun jammed and the woman ran. The man chased her and the woman heard the gun clicking as he kept trying to fire. Some maintenance workers saw what was happening and yelled at the man and he went back to his car and drove off.

A police officer spotted the car and the man stopped in the parking lot of Park Towers. He obeyed the officer’s order to get out and was taken into custody without incident.

The 9mm gun was found in the front seat and the officer discovered it was loaded.

The woman told officers she has no idea why the man tried to kill her.

The man was identified as 59-year-old Omar Alasow of Rochester.

Moilanen says it’s not known why he was trying to kill the woman.