Man Grabbed Officer’s Gun, Was Shot Dead In Rochester: BCA

ROCHESTER, MN — A 47-year-old man was fatally shot by a Rochester police officer after he grabbed an officer’s firearm and pulled the trigger during a struggle, according to Minnesota authorities.

The man, identified by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension as Cleavon White, was involved in a "use-of-force" incident around 9:30 p.m. March 11 at an apartment on the 1900 block of Ashland Drive Northwest.

Officers with the Rochester Police Department and a Crisis Response Team social worker were called to the apartment on a report that a man was experiencing a mental health crisis.

Authorities said White was acting erratically and was believed to be a threat to himself and others.

Officials determined White should be placed on a 72-hour mental health hold and transported to a hospital, but he refused. When officers attempted to take him into custody, a struggle ensued.

During the struggle, White grabbed an officer’s firearm and pulled the trigger, causing the weapon to discharge, according to the BCA. Another officer, identified as Josiah Duit, then fired multiple shots, striking White.

Officers rendered medical aid at the scene before White was taken to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead. No officers were injured.

Duit, who has three years of law enforcement experience, has been placed on critical incident leave, which is standard procedure.

The BCA said body-worn cameras captured portions of the incident. The agency will present its findings to the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office without recommending charges once the investigation is complete.