Updated: Police in Albert Lea shoot person dead during “encounter”

ALBERT LEA – A 911 call led to a police response and then the fatal shooting of an individual Thursday morning.

Albert Lea police officers were involved in an officer involved shooting incident that happened just after 10 AM Thursday, January 3, 2019. Officers responded to a 911 Call for service involving an individual in the alleyway behind the 300 block of Court Street. Officers located the individual and at one point during the encounter, officers discharged their weapons, striking the individual.

The officers attempted lifesaving measures, but the individual was pronounced deceased at the scene. No one else was injured during the incident. Officers are on standard administrative leave. The officers were not wearing body cameras. Investigators will determine whether dash cameras captured the incident.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) will conduct an investigation into the incident and the following information was released later Friday:

• Lieutenant Darin Palmer discharged his firearm. He has been with the Albert Lea Police Department for 18 years.
• Officer Jesus Cantu discharged his firearm. He has been with the department for 20 years.
• Officer Jason Taylor deployed a Taser and a chemical irritant. He has been with the department for 18 years.

Officer Taylor received a minor sharp force injury during the incident. Officer Taylor was treated for his injury by Gold Cross Ambulance personnel.

In addition, the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office has identified the man who was fatally shot during the incident. Joseph Alan Roberts, 27, of Albert Lea, died of multiple gunshot wounds.

The Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, Gold Cross Medical and Albert Lea Fire and Rescue responded to the scene after the shooting incident.

The BCA will conduct an independent investigation of the incident. They will release any further information as their investigation progresses.