Community Corner

West St. Paul Man Convicted for Shooting at Inver Grove Police Officers

Justin Thaddeus Amick was found guilty for two counts of assault for firing his gun in the direction of officers back in 2012. Sentencing will be held in September.

A Dakota County Court Wednesday ruled Justin Thadeus Amick, 41 of West St. Paul, was guilty of one count each of Assault in the First Degree, Assault in the Second Degree and Ineligible Person in Possession of a Firearm (all felonies) in connection with shooting at a police officer in Inver Grove Heights on March 18, 2012. 

A jury deliberated for about eight hours. 

“We are pleased the jury held him accountable for his actions,” Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom said.

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Amick was acquitted of two counts each of Attempted Murder in the First Degree (Intent to Kill a Peace Officer) and Attempted Murder in the Second Degree, as well as one count each of Assault in the First Degree and Assault in the Second Degree on a second police officer. 

Defense attorney Chris Zipko, who represented Amick, said his client was satisfied with the verdict, saying the crime didn’t warrant the two murder charges.

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“My client was relieved at the verdict, and very thankful that the jury took the time and effort to look at this case as closely as they did,” Zipko said. “I am glad the jury looked at this case and was able to see the facts for what they were.  I believe it was the real time response of the officers, as they occurred, and what the officers did and ‘did not do’ that really told the story in this case.

According to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, Justin Amick was charged in 2012 with one count each of first-degree attempted murder (intent to kill a peace officer), second-degree attempted murder, second-degree assault and ineligible person in possession of a firearm.

“This was a direct threat to the lives of two police officers,” Backstrom said at the time of the arrests and charges. “We are thankful that neither of these officers or others in the area were not struck by this gunfire.”

According to police and media reports, Amick was accused of firing a number of shots at police officers from a parked car in the area of River Road and 77th Street around 5 a.m. Sunday, March 18. Neither of the officers on the scene was injured.

However, Zipko said, inconsistencies in the prosecution’s story showed the officer’s lives “weren’t in danger,” despite the county attorney’s case.

“Even thought the police claimed my client attempted to kill them, the police reported, and testified that they never shot at, or pursued the defendant over concern for the safety of bystanders.  Including one witness, the reporting party, whom the officers testified was in harm's way.  However, this witness testified he was hiding behind a train trestle, which put him completely out of sight of the immediate scene,” Zipko said.

Backstrom praised Assistant County Attorney Heather Pipenhagen, who prosecuted the case.  Backstrom thanked the Inver Grove Heights police officers who responded and the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office who assisted in this case for their thorough investigation. 

Judge Michael Mayer ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set the sentencing date for September 12, 2013 at 9:00 a.m. in Hastings. Amick remains in custody in the Dakota County Jail.

 

 

 


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