Man Accused of Burning Rochester Police Officer’s Face

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - A Rochester man is facing a felony charge for allegedly assaulting a police officer while he was being placed under arrest for suspicion of malicious punishment of a child.

According to court documents, the incident occurred Thursday afternoon as Rochester police officers were attempting to take 40-year-old Jared Duwayne Fitting into custody at an apartment building in northwest Rochester. The charges allege that Fitting, when instructed to place his hands behind his back, pulled away and reached toward a pocket in his sweatshirt.

Get our free mobile app

The criminal complaint states that, based on prior reports, the officer was concerned that Fitting was reaching for a knife. The charges allege that Fitting then knocked the officer's body camera off of his vest and raised his right arm to strike the officer, who responded by pinning the man against a garage wall.

The court document says Fitting then turned his head and burned the side of the officer's face with his lit cigarette. It also alleges that another officer saw Fitting punch the officer in the ribs with a closed fist before they were able to bring him to the ground and subdue him.

Fitting is now facing a felony count of fourth-degree assault on a police officer and a gross misdemeanor count of obstructing the legal process.

In a separate criminal complaint, Fitting has been charged with gross misdemeanor malicious punishment of a child and a misdemeanor domestic assault charge. According to the court documents, Fitting is accused of striking an 8-year-old girl on the legs with a belt loop after he became upset at her for not going to bed.

Fitting is currently being held at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center with his bail set at $10,000.

More Minnesota News:

• Guilty Plea For $4 Million Arson Fire at Rochester Church
• Woman Fatally Injured in Brainerd-Lakes Area Crash
• Urgent: 7 Kids Still Missing in Minnesota This Year – View Their Photos