St. Paul man charged in assault with knife, Civil War sword

Updated: April 29, 2008 - 11:36 PM

Donald W. Gehl, 27, was charged with assault in the second degree after he allegedly confronted police last month.

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A 27-year-old St. Paul man was charged Tuesday with assault in the second degree after he allegedly confronted police last month with a sword in one hand and a knife in the other.

Police shot Donald W. Gehl when he refused to stop. He was treated at Regions Hospital for bullet wounds in his left leg and left arm.

Officers Mike Carroll and Rob Howell were responding to a midday call about a burglary in progress on March 6 across the street from Gehl's East Side home. While investigating the burglary, the officers say they noticed Gehl outside, swinging and hitting their squad car window with a sword.

When police confronted him, Gehl refused orders to stop. The officers shot him several times.

Gehl's family told police that he has a history of mental illness but hadn't had problems for several years. The Civil War ceremonial sword belonged to Gehl's father.

MARY LYNN SMITH