BCA Identifies Man Killed in Rochester Police Shooting

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The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified the man who was shot and killed by a Rochester police officer on March 11 as Cleavon White, 47, of Rochester. The officer involved was Josiah Duit, who has three years of law enforcement experience. The incident occurred when officers and a crisis response team social worker were called to an apartment on a report of a man experiencing a mental health crisis. During the encounter, a struggle ensued and White allegedly grabbed an officer's firearm, leading Duit to fire multiple shots that struck and killed White.

Why it matters

This incident highlights the ongoing challenges law enforcement faces when responding to mental health crises, where de-escalation and crisis intervention training is critical to avoid the use of lethal force. It also raises questions about police protocols and the availability of mental health resources to support officers and individuals in crisis.

The details

According to the BCA, officers and a social worker concluded that White was possibly a threat to himself and others. They attempted to take White into custody for a 72-hour mental health hold, but he refused to go. A struggle then ensued, during which White allegedly grabbed an officer's firearm, leading Duit to fire multiple shots that struck and killed White. No officers were injured.

• The incident occurred around 9:30 p.m. on March 11, 2026.
• The BCA released its identification of White and details about the shooting on March 17, 2026.

What’s next

The BCA's investigation into the shooting incident is ongoing, and its findings will be presented to the Olmsted County Attorney's Office for review once complete.