BCA Has Identified Man Fatally Shot By Rochester Police Officer

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified the Rochester man who died as a result of an officer-involved shooting early Saturday.

Joshua Clayton Hippler was 27 years old. The BCA says the medical examiner determined Hippler died from multiple gunshot wounds to his upper torso while receiving treatment at St. Marys Hospital. The Rochester Police Officer who fatally shot Hippler has been identified by the BCA as Michael Bottcher. He is been a member of the Rochester Police Department for one year.

A news release from the BCA indicates the agency's crime scene personnel recovered a knife and an ax at the site of the shooting and from Hippler's vehicle. It also states the shooting was recorded on body camera video.

Rochester Police earlier said Hippler had robbed the Dominoes Pizza location along South Broadway while carrying an ax around 11 PM Friday. Witnesses reported he left the business in a white van with out-of-state license plates.

Officer Bottcher spotted the van at about 12:45 AM Saturday on South Broadway near the Highway 52 interchange. Officials say Hippler then got out of the van and was carrying the ax and charging at Officer Bottcher, who responded by opening fire with his police department handgun. He is currently on administrative leave,

Once the BCA completes its investigation of the deadly incident, it will present its findings without recommendation to the Olmsted County Attorney's Office for review.