&tA; HREF=mailto:news@albertleatribune.com&tBy; Masaaki Harada

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is completing the investigation of an Albert Lea police officer who shot stabbing suspect Randall Romeo Caron Sunday, and a preliminary report suggests that the officer’s action could be excused as a self-defense, according to the County Attorney’s Office.

Thursday, November 15, 2001

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is completing the investigation of an Albert Lea police officer who shot stabbing suspect Randall Romeo Caron Sunday, and a preliminary report suggests that the officer’s action could be excused as a self-defense, according to the County Attorney’s Office.

Caron, charged with two counts of assault, could face a more severe attempted murder charge with regard to the stabbing. Further, he may be prosecuted for the attack of the police officer.

The BCA reported to County Attorney Craig Nelson the preliminary investigation result Wednesday morning.

According to the report, as two ALPD officers approached Caron hiding in the woods near Railroad Avenue, Caron took out a knife and threatened the officers. Caron charged one of them. The police officer repeatedly cautioned Caron to halt while he was moving back, and finally shot twice, the report says.

Nelson said he would support the self-defense explanation. &uot;It was dark, and the officer restrained until the point where he could not escape any more,&uot; he said.

Albert Lea Police Chief Tom Menning is also confident of the legitimacy of the shooting. In a written statement issued Wednesday, Menning said, &uot;The actions taken by the officer were necessary, appropriate and in full compliance with departmental police on use of force.&uot;

The County Attorney’s Office will also examine the BCA investigation if Caron’s action constitutes an assault against the police officer.

The prosecutors are also seeking an additional attempted murder charge for a Saturday stabbing in Albert Lea. The medical treatment on the victim, Annette Marie Lestrud, at St. Marys hospital in Rochester required 530 stitches. One stab wound penetrated her body from her chest to her back.

Police say Caron fled the scene of the stabbing on foot after jumping out of a window. They located him the next day at the edge of the woods after a gas-station attendant called police when Caron visited the store.

Caron had a relationship with Lestrud for about five years but they were separated in July of this year, according to the investigation. They have a four-year old child.

In July 1998, Caron was arrested for hitting Lestrud in the face and sentenced to 60 days in prison with a stay of execution for two years.

Last month, Lestrud and the county filed a civil lawsuit against Caron to establish child support. They were asking Caron to appropriate $210 a month in accordance with Minnesota child-support guidelines. Caron was scheduled to appear in court on Nov. 28 for a hearing.