A man who was shot by police officers in Woodbury in April received a prison sentence of 92 months, or about seven and a half years, according to court documents. Donald Eugene Roche, 61, of Rockford, Minnesota, was sentenced Monday in Washington County District Court.
Roche pleaded guilty to two counts of second-degree assault after pointing a high-powered pellet gun at police officers in the parking lot at the Target at 7200 Valley Creek Plaza. One count each of financial transaction card fraud and third-degree burglary were dismissed.
Woodbury Police Officer James Stoffel and Washington County Deputy Brian Krook fired at Roche when he did not comply with orders to drop his weapon. The Washington County Attorney’s Office determined that two law enforcement officers were justified in using force.
Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson stated in a news release that Roche admitted he wanted officers to kill him because he did not want to return to prison.
Roche made purchases at two stores in Woodbury using credit cards from a wallet he had stolen. Police tried to arrest Roche in the parking lot but backed off when they thought he was armed. When Roche got out of his vehicle with the pellet gun he was shot. He was treated for his injuries at Regions Hospital before being taken to the Washington County Jail.
