Man killed by Albert Lea police is identified as 27-year-old

Authorities have identified a 27-year-old man who was shot and killed Thursday by police officers in Albert Lea.

Joseph Alan Roberts of Albert Lea died of multiple gunshot wounds, according to the Ramsey County Medical Examiner's Office.

The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, which is investigating the shooting at the request of Albert Lea police, also identified the three officers involved, all of whom are on standard administrative leave.

• Lt. Darin Palmer discharged his firearm. He has been with the Albert Lea Police Department for 18 years.

• Officer Jesus Cantu discharged his firearm. He has been with the department for 20 years.

• Officer Jason Taylor used a Taser and a chemical irritant. He has been with the department for 18 years. He suffered "a minor sharp-force injury" during the encounter with Roberts, the BCA said.

About 10 a.m. Thursday, officers responded to a 911 call about a disturbance involving Robert in a home on Court Street, authorities say. Roberts fled the home and was pursued on foot by the officers into an alley between Court and W. College streets.

Investigators found a knife at the scene where the shooting occurred, the BCA said.

The officers were not wearing body cameras, but squad car cameras captured part of the incident, the agency said.

On Thursday, Freeborn County Sheriff Kurt Freitag said that the Sheriff's Office and Albert Lea police recently obtained body cameras and expect to begin using them in about two weeks, after officers have been trained.

State court records show that Roberts has a number of convictions, including for felony domestic assault, drug possession and possession of a dangerous weapon in a courthouse.

The BCA will continue its investigation and present its findings without recommendation to the Freeborn County Attorney's Office for review.