Two Men Charged in Downtown Rochester Pistol-Involved Attack

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- Two Rochester men are facing charges connected to an alleged attack that involved a pistol in downtown Rochester. 

The criminal complaint, filed in Olmsted County Court on Monday, says the incident occurred on the morning of March 8. The alleged assault was reported to officers shortly before 9 a.m. 

Court documents say Rochester Police Officers were called to a downtown Rochester restaurant by staff members who reported encountering a bleeding and injured man. 

Police then responded to the Salvation Army where a staff member reported seeing an assault captured on surveillance video. 

The footage shows the victim approach two men, identified in the complaint as 45-year-old Karl Samuel Oates and 22-year-old Christopher William Trammell, standing in front of the building. 

Get our free mobile app

Oates is seen running at the victim then swinging what appears to be a pistol at him, the complaint says. Oates then pointed the apparent gun at the victim and Trammel walked over before the three men disappeared from the view of the camera. 

Read More: Man Accused of Knocking Out Teenage Boy During Fight at Rochester School 

The three returned to the view of the camera and the footage showed the victim falling to the ground and Trammell on top of the victim holding him in a chokehold and striking him, the complaint says. 

Oates, who is still holding the apparent pistol, is seen pacing around the two men. Trammel hit the victim one more time and the two alleged assailants then left the area to the south on foot, the court documents say. 

Officers located Oates the Landing and detained him. Oates, who police say had blood on his hands, claimed he was assaulted earlier in the day by the Salvation Army dumpsters, the complaint says. 

Police found Trammel, who the complaint says had blood on his jacket, in northeast Rochester around 4:10 p.m. on Friday. Trammel told officers he had beaten up someone who had stolen from him. 

A search of Trammel’s residence led to the discovery of more bloody clothing, according to the complaint. 

Oates, who is listed as homeless in the complaint, has been charged with one felony count of terroristic threats. Trammel is facing a felony aiding and abetting terroristic threats charge and misdemeanor fifth-degree assault charge. 

The court documents do not make further mention of the firearm. Trammel was released without bail. Conditional bail for Oates was set at $10,000. Both men are due back in court later this month.

More Minnesota News:

• More Money Pours in for Future Rochester-Area Interchange 
• Two Lives Lost in Two Crashes on Minnesota Roads Monday 
• Body of Minnesota Woman Found in State Park