REDWOOD FALLS, MN - An Edina, Minnesota man is facing charges of attempted murder after an incident in which he allegedly sought to ambush members of law enforcement- with his rifle jamming in the incident, potentially saving lives.
The suspect, 27-year old Christopher Mark Covert, allegedly used a fake suicide call to Redwood County Dispatch in a bid to lure victims to Ramsey Park, according to WFTC. Law enforcement arrived at the location in an attempt to find where the call reporting the purported suicide incident had come from.
After police located a 2021 Madza vehicle registered to Covert, they utilized a K9 dog to search for a human presence in the area. Subsequently, law enforcement allegedly witnessed Covert running away from them, traveling on a walking bridge leading to the Redwood Falls Hydroelectric Power Plant, according to CBS News.
The suspect failed to comply with directive from law enforcement to cease running- and dropped what prosecutors are describing as a loaded rifle case in his attempt to flee from officers. When subsequently recovered, the case was allegedly found to contain an AR-style rifle and ten magazines- replete with approximately 300 rounds of ammunition. Some of the rounds allegedly recovered in Covert's possession are being described by prosecutors as armor piercing, or designed to penetrate ballistic plates commonly used by members of the military and law enforcement.
Police describe the rifle that was recovered as jammed. Authorities believe the jam had been caused by "slow stroking-" a deficiency that can be caused by attempting to load an AR-style rifle in a quite fashion.
Digital devices belonging to Covert obtained by law enforcement allegedly contained fatalistic messages- alluding to religion, as well as violent acts, according to prosecutors.
"There’s a time to kill but always call on Christ first," one text message allegedly read.
Covert had been the subject of a Hennepin County "red flag law" court order, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. The controversial measure authorized in some states allows judicial authorities to order a citizen's firearms be seized with the state- on the basis of non-criminal conduct. One individual familiar with Covert interviewed by police states that the suspect had returned from a trip to Montana in late August- and gave his life savings of $78,000 to her. She described Covert as making a promise that he would not kill himself in the interaction.
Covert is being held in the Redwood County Jail on charges of attempted first-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and possessing metal penetrating bullets. He's yet to enter a plea in response to the charges.
The suspect, 27-year old Christopher Mark Covert, allegedly used a fake suicide call to Redwood County Dispatch in a bid to lure victims to Ramsey Park, according to WFTC. Law enforcement arrived at the location in an attempt to find where the call reporting the purported suicide incident had come from.
After police located a 2021 Madza vehicle registered to Covert, they utilized a K9 dog to search for a human presence in the area. Subsequently, law enforcement allegedly witnessed Covert running away from them, traveling on a walking bridge leading to the Redwood Falls Hydroelectric Power Plant, according to CBS News.
The suspect failed to comply with directive from law enforcement to cease running- and dropped what prosecutors are describing as a loaded rifle case in his attempt to flee from officers. When subsequently recovered, the case was allegedly found to contain an AR-style rifle and ten magazines- replete with approximately 300 rounds of ammunition. Some of the rounds allegedly recovered in Covert's possession are being described by prosecutors as armor piercing, or designed to penetrate ballistic plates commonly used by members of the military and law enforcement.
Police describe the rifle that was recovered as jammed. Authorities believe the jam had been caused by "slow stroking-" a deficiency that can be caused by attempting to load an AR-style rifle in a quite fashion.
Digital devices belonging to Covert obtained by law enforcement allegedly contained fatalistic messages- alluding to religion, as well as violent acts, according to prosecutors.
"There’s a time to kill but always call on Christ first," one text message allegedly read.
Covert had been the subject of a Hennepin County "red flag law" court order, according to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune. The controversial measure authorized in some states allows judicial authorities to order a citizen's firearms be seized with the state- on the basis of non-criminal conduct. One individual familiar with Covert interviewed by police states that the suspect had returned from a trip to Montana in late August- and gave his life savings of $78,000 to her. She described Covert as making a promise that he would not kill himself in the interaction.
Covert is being held in the Redwood County Jail on charges of attempted first-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault and possessing metal penetrating bullets. He's yet to enter a plea in response to the charges.
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