'He Too Is A Victim In This Situation': Police Discuss Officer In St. Cloud Attack

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Avon police hosted a press conference Monday discussing the officer who shot and killed a man who attacked people at a St. Cloud mall over the weekend.

Late Monday morning, Avon Police Chief Corey Nellis told the media that he is "very proud of Officer Falconer's heroic actions in confronting the perpetrator of the stabbing assaults of the Crossroads Mall Saturday."

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"Officer Falconer put himself in harm's way to protect the public from a man who had already stabbed nine victims," Nellis said, adding that more victims could have been hurt if not for Falconer's actions.

Nellis said that considering his training and abilities, Falconer was the "right person, at the right place, at the right time."

Nellis added that although Falconer saved countless lives, "he too is a victim in this situation" and would appreciate if he was given room to cope with the events.

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Nine people were stabbed at Crossroads Mall in St. Cloud Saturday night; are all expected to survive their injuries. Three were hospitalized overnight.

Authorities said the attack lasted five minutes and ended at Macy's when Falconer, who was off-duty, shot and killed the suspect. A source told WCCO the suspect is 22-year-old Dahir Adan and that he attended St. Cloud State University.

Falconer has been employed part-time by the City of Avon since 2007. He was previously employed by the City of Albany, Minnesota, as the police chief.