BCA Identifies Man Killed in Rochester Police Shooting

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has released the name of the man who was shot and killed by a Rochester police officer last week.

The BCA on Tuesday evening issued a statement that says the Southern Minnesota Regional Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man as 47-year-old Cleavon White of Rochester. The officer who fired the fatal shots was identified as Officer Josiah Duit, who has three years of law enforcement experience.

Photo by Andy Brownell TSM Rochester

Police and the Social Worker Responded to Crisis Call

According to the BCA’s preliminary investigation, Rochester police and a Crisis Response Team social worker were sent to an apartment in the 1900 block of Ashland Drive Northwest at around 9:30 PM on March 11 in response to a report of a man experiencing a mental health crisis. When officers arrived at the scene, they and the social worker spoke with White while an adult woman and multiple children were also present.

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Placed on 72 Hour Mental Health Hold

The BCA statement says the officer and social worker observed that White was acting erratically and appeared paranoid, and concluded that he was a possible threat to himself and others. At that point, the decision was made to place White on a 72-hour emergency mental health hold.

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Gun Discharged During Struggle

When he was informed that he would be taken to the hospital, the BCA says he refused to go and resisted when Officer Duit and others tried to take him into custody. A struggle ensued, and White grabbed an officer’s gun during the struggle and was able to pull the trigger, causing the firearm to discharge.

Body cameras worn by the officers captured portions of the altercation. After the gun discharged, an officer yelled that White was going for his gun, and Officer Duit responded by firing multiple shots, striking White.

Pronounced Dead at Hospital

Officers at the scene immediately administered life-saving measures until an ambulance arrived, and White was transported to the hospital. He was later pronounced dead.

None of the officers involved were injured. Officer Duit was placed on critical incident leave, which is standard procedure.

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension indicated that, once its investigation is complete, the state law enforcement agency will present the findings to the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office for review.

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