Prosecutors: Man fired assault rifle at Bloomington officers who shot back near Mall of America

Prosecutors say three Bloomington police officers dodged gunfire from a man’s assault-style rifle until they returned fire and wounded him last week near the Mall of America.

Joshua Rocha, 21, of Savage, was charged Monday in Hennepin County District Court with three counts each of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault by use of deadly force against a peace officer in connection with the shootout Thursday night.

Rocha remains jailed in lieu of $1 million bail ahead of a court appearance Tuesday afternoon. Court records do not list an attorney for him.

“This was an eminently dangerous situation, and these charges reflect the current evidence and the seriousness of the incident,” County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement. “Evidence and information are still being gathered and will be assessed to ensure charging accuracy.”

Police Chief Booker Hodges said the day after the shooting, “If you shoot at us, we’re going to shoot back. We’re very fortunate ... that no one is visiting the undertaker.”

Law enforcement has yet to address why Rocha allegedly defied police commands and decided to shoot at the officers.

Hodges said police believe Rocha was drunk at the time of the encounter. Rocha’s criminal history includes drunken driving and fleeing police, the chief said.

The interaction between officers and Rocha began about 10:30 p.m., when he was seen driving the wrong way near Old Shakopee Road and Killebrew Drive, police said.

Officers first attempted to stop the vehicle just south of the mall. Police then twice used a precision intervention technique — also known as a PIT maneuver, in which officers use their squad car to stop a fleeing car — and stopped the driver not far from where the encounter occurred.

“The driver refused officers’ orders to exit the vehicle,” a police statement read.

Officers used less-lethal ammunition at Rocha’s vehicle before he opened fire with a large assault-style rifle at a police squad where three officers were taking cover. The squad was riddled with bullet holes on the front and one side, but no officers were wounded.

Police gunfire left Rocha with an injury to one hand. The officers approached his vehicle and apprehended him. He was taken by emergency medical personnel to HCMC, then was booked into jail.