Man Arrested Following Knife Incident at Rochester Warming Center

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Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News) - Rochester police were called to the warming center across the street from the Government Center in downtown Rochester Friday night after a man with a knife began chasing another homeless individual inside the facility.

Police Captain Casey Moilanen says the incident was reported around 9:30 PM shortly after 21-year-old Carson Zavala came into the warming center and made comments about having a gun. After he was asked to empty his pockets, Moilanen says Zavala pulled out a knife and began chasing the 27-year-old victim, who eventually locked himself in the women's shower.

The arrest report says Zavala was pounding on the door to the shower facilities when a warming center staff member tried to intercede and Zavala allegedly tried to punch him. Captain Moilanen reported the staff member was able to get the knife away from him and Zavala then ran out of the warming center.

He was located and arrested about a block away. Zavala is currently being held in the Olmsted County jail on suspicion of second-degree assault.

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