What Happened During The Rochester Condominium Standoff?

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The man taken into custody following a multi-hour standoff at a Rochester condominium complex last week is now facing a felony charge.

Rochester police reported the standoff, which happened on the night of June 10, reached a peaceful resolution. A report issued by the department described the person eventually arrested as a man in crisis.

The criminal complaint was filed in Olmsted County Court on Wednesday morning.

Rochester Man Charged With Felony Threats Following Standoff at Valhalla Condo Complex

79-year-old Michael Lawrence Larsen is charged with one count of terroristic threats.

The criminal complaint says Rochester police took a call from a woman stating Larsen told her “he had a gun and had intent to kill himself and people in his apartment complex.”

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Larsen was referring to the board, president, and council of the Valhalla Condominium complex in the 500 block of 19th St. NW, the court document indicates.

Law enforcement arrived at the scene shortly before 6 p.m. and made contact with Larsen through a crisis negotiator. He also informed the negotiator he had a firearm, the complaint says.

The Emergency Response Team also arrived on the scene in an effort to de-escalate the situation but failed to do so, the court document says.

Responding officers began evacuating nearby residents for their safety, Rochester police said.

Less-Than-Lethal Option Deployed

Larsen was seen entering and exiting his residence multiple times.

At one point during the five-hour standoff, officers deployed less-than-lethal options to attempt to resolve the situation but were not successful, according to the complaint.

Police Obtain Search Warrant

Law enforcement eventually obtained a search warrant for Larsen’s residence and forced their way inside. Larsen was subsequently taken into custody.

A detective recovered a loaded revolver and Larsen’s phone inside of the home, the complaint says.

The court document says a drone had observed Larsen had fallen in the residence during the standoff, however no injuries were reported.

Larsen made his first appearance in Olmsted County Court on Wednesday morning. His conditional bail was set at $50,000 and he is due back in court next month.