Court Issues Warrant in Rochester Homemade Firearm Threats Case

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - An arrest warrant has been issued for a Rochester man who failed to appear for his sentencing hearing today in a case in which he was accused of trying to shoot another person with a homemade firearm.

According to the criminal complaint, Rochester police were dispatched to an apartment in northwest Rochester in late July of last year following a report of a person in crisis. The court document states that officers were told by two witnesses that 21-year-old Meridyan Sky Robertson had attempted to shoot them.

Victims Describe Threatening Encounter

The victims described the firearm as a homemade device constructed from parts purchased at a hardware store. The primary components included a steel pipe containing a shotgun shell. The criminal complaint says the homemade weapon was secured by officers, who observed strike marks on the shell casing where a makeshift firing pin, fashioned from a bolt, had struck it.

Victim Feared For His Life

The court document says one of the victims reported that Robertson allegedly pointed the firearm at him and attempted to “slam the device together to make it discharge,” but was unsuccessful. The victim told officers he feared Robertson was going to kill him and other family members.

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Robertson was later located riding a bicycle along 2nd Street Southwest. The criminal complaint states that officers found him in possession of a backpack containing shotgun ammunition, camping gear, and perishable items.

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Charges and Plea Agreement

Robertson was charged with a felony count of terroristic threats and a misdemeanor domestic assault charge. Under the terms of a plea agreement, he admitted to the terroristic threats charge with a recommendation for probation and a stayed prison sentence.

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