ROCHESTER, Minn. - A high-risk traffic stop Wednesday was the result of an altercation with a gun, police said.
Police said there was a report of a vehicle with a handgun inside on Highway 63. Police said a post on social media claims authorities didn’t need that many officers on scene.
Yasin Muhidin
Police said they made it a high-risk stop due to knowing a handgun was involved.
Four passengers were taken to the government center to be interviewed by the Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office.
The situation began when Wabasha County alerted RPD that they were looking for two vehicles involving the gun.
Yasin Muhidin, of Rochester, was arrested. He was charged with terroristic threats.
The City of Rochester issued the following statement on the incident:
"On June 3, 2020, at approximately 7:40 p.m., the Rochester Police Department assisted the Wabasha County Sheriff’s Department in an incident that involved an altercation with a handgun. The Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office advised the incident occurred in Wabasha County and the vehicles involved in the altercation were driving southbound on Highway 63, heading towards Rochester. Officers learned the gun used in the altercation was with one of the vehicles traveling south on Highway 63 – a gray Kia."
"Rochester Police Officers located the gray Kia in the city of Rochester, and conducted a high-risk traffic stop in the area of 16 St NE and North Broadway Avenue. High-risk traffic stops are used to ensure the safety of the occupants, the officers involved in the stop, and the people in the area where the stop occurred. High-risk stops are a common tactic utilized by law enforcement to safely detain the individuals involved. Officers are needed to watch both sides of the vehicle, and additional officers are needed to make contact with the occupants to safely detain them away from the vehicle. There are many areas within a vehicle that officers cannot see during a traffic stop, having additional officers on scene allows additional views of the vehicle. Being able to have a better view of the vehicle increases the safety of everyone and decreases the chances that mistakes will be made. As part of this standard procedure, some officers have no weapons, some have less lethal, some have handguns, and some have rifles. This is done for the safety of the officers, occupants and bystanders."
"The vehicle contained three female passengers and a male driver. The occupants were detained for the Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office to interview. After the occupants were interviewed, the Wabasha County Sheriff’s Office arrested the male driver of the vehicle and released the three females. The male driver is facing charges of Terroristic Threats. An airsoft handgun that resembled a real gun was located along Highway 63 North just outside of the city of Rochester, and is believed to be part of this incident."
"While these are facts related to this case, we recognize and respect the concern in the community stemming from video taken during this interaction. We want to state that we are committed to developing solutions with the community. This includes developing solutions that fit who we are, as a community, and what law enforcement should do, including what it means to protect and serve."
