Rochester Man Admits Threatening Neighbors with Shotgun

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man has been convicted of a felony charge for threatening his neighbors with a shotgun.

Report of Weapons Violation

According to the criminal complaint against 65-year-old Darrel Duane Schroeder, Rochester police officers responded to a home in the 1900 block of 50th Street Northwest on the night of May 29 last year. The initial report involved a weapons violation.

Loaded Shotgun Found To Man

When officers arrived at the scene, the court document says Schroeder was found outside in his yard next to a loaded shotgun. Officers stated that Schroeder was slurring his words and appeared intoxicated as he yelled multiple times about wanting to kill officers, wanting to kill everybody, and wanting law enforcement to kill him.

Neighbors Hosting Backyard Party

The criminal complaint says officers then spoke with a neighbor, who indicated that Schroeder had been in attendance at a backyard party they were hosting before he returned to his home without saying anything. The woman then described how Schroeder came outside with a gun while she was in the front yard and claimed that another person had killed his wife before allegedly stating that he was going to kill two people. According to the court document, the neighbor told officers that she was scared for her safety and went to the backyard, where she instructed everyone to get inside her home.

Wife Interviewed by Police

Officers also spoke with Schroeder’s wife. The criminal complaint says she stated that Schroeder came into their bedroom saying that people were out to get him. She then watched as Schroeder grabbed the shotgun, loaded the weapon, and went outside holding the firearm.

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Felony Assault Charge Dropped

Schroeder was charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and felony terroristic threats. He entered into a plea agreement on Tuesday and admitted to the terroristic threats charge in exchange for the dismissal of the felony assault charge.

He is scheduled to be sentenced in July. According to his plea agreement, the Olmsted County Attorney’s Office will recommend that Schroeder serve a 30-day jail sentence.

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