Man Charged in 2019 Rochester Injury Shooting Awaits Verdict

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- A homeless man charged in a Rochester shooting that occurred over four years ago is now waiting for a verdict to be rendered by an Olmsted County judge.

Read More: $500K Bail for Rochester Man Charged in Shooting

The criminal complaint in the case, which was amended earlier this month, says Rochester Police responded to the shooting at a multi-unit housing complex in southeast Rochester around 6:30 on the morning of Nov. 3, 2019.

The victim, described in the complaint as an adult male, reported he had been multiple times in the leg and once in the hand.

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The man told police he had been sleeping when a person he knew as “Dream” walked into his unlocked apartment, started kicking him and waved a gun around before opening fire on him, the complaint says.

He had five gunshot wounds to his leg and his finger was grazed by a bullet. The charges described the wounds as non-life-threatening.

Hussein complaint. Olmsted County Court

Later that morning a clerk at a gas station on 37th St. Northwest reported a vehicle pulling up next to his in the parking lot and the driver brandishing a gun and threatening to shoot him, the complaint says.

The victims were able to help officers identify the alleged gun-wielding assailant as Abdusalam Omar Hussein. About 45 minutes after the alleged shooting and threat Hussein called 911 claiming to be a child soldier and that he had an unloaded gun with him, the court filing says.

TSM photo by Aaron Galloway. Stock image

Law enforcement traced the call and found Hussein driving north on Hwy. 52. Hussein told dispatch he was not stopping and was willing to shoot at police, the complaint says.

The vehicle Hussein was driving, which he later said was stolen, veered off the highway then rolled north of Rochester Hussein was taken into custody.

Hussein complaint. Olmsted County Court

Hussein’s case has been delayed multiple times by the COVID-19 pandemic and by psychological evaluations. He was found incompetent to stand trial in October of 2022, however that finding was reversed and the case was allowed to proceed last March.

Hussein, who is now 43, is facing two counts of second-degree assault and a charge of felon in possession of a firearm.

Olmsted County ADC

He opted for a court trial, meaning a judge will render the verdict in the case. The court trial was held on Thursday and the Judge has now taken the case under advisement and will return a verdict at a later date.