Officer charged in apparent road rage incident
A Superior, Wis., police officer is charged with second-degree assault for allegedly pulling a gun and pointing it at a motorist in an apparent road rage incident.
Ross W. Magnuson, 45, of Knife River also faces charges of making terroristic threats, recklessly handling a dangerous weapon and disorderly conduct.
A message left at Magnuson’s home Saturday by The Associated Press was not immediately returned.
According to the criminal complaint, a motorist, his girlfriend and her son were driving near Two Harbors last Sunday when they passed a vehicle whose driver flipped them off.
After pulling into a service station and waiting to pump gas, the driver who gestured at them pulled up next to the group, got out and began yelling, the complaint said.
The motorist, who provided a license plate number to police that eventually led to Magnuson and later identified Magnuson in a police lineup, said Magnuson pulled a silver and black gun and pointed it at him, the complaint stated.
Police executed a search warrant at Magnuson’s home and he provided a silver and black Smith and Wesson semi-automatic pistol.
Magnuson, who was off duty and not wearing a police uniform on the day of the incident, told officers that he had been driving when he was passed by a car driving erratically.
He said he pulled off at the station to speak with the motorist about his driving conduct, and feeling threatened upon their encounter, Magnuson "broke leather" on his firearm, according to the complaint.
Superior Police Chief Floyd Peters said he was shocked by the allegations when notified of the charges filed against the 12-year veteran of the force.
"He’s been a very well respected officer in our department and in the community," Peters said.
The chief then read a prepared statement declining any additional comment. Magnuson, who was arraigned Friday, was placed on administrative leave pending criminal and internal investigations into the incident.
Peters said no internal review would begin until the criminal investigation is completed.
Aug 25, 2008 at 9:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
NVgrf, RustyTrombone and GPawCat - You crack me up! Thanks for the laughs. :)
Aug 25, 2008 at 3:09 a.m.
Suggest removal
we need concealed carry,cops can`t always be trusted
Aug 24, 2008 at 11:32 p.m.
Suggest removal
yep. designed to leave incompetent people to interpret the explaination as they alone see fit. such general wording. also, the hate crime laws are the same way. left open for interpretation also as one desires to enforce it. just another FEEL GOOD law!!!!!
Aug 24, 2008 at 9:53 p.m.
Suggest removal
Just another ridiculous "designer" charge.
Aug 24, 2008 at 6:39 p.m.
Suggest removal
Aren't you glad that you asked? :-)
Aug 24, 2008 at 6:38 p.m.
Suggest removal
A terroristic threat is a crime generally involving a threat to commit violence communicated with the intent to terrorize another, to cause evacuation of a building, or to cause serious public inconvenience, in reckless disregard of the risk of causing such terror or inconvenience. It may mean an offense against property or involving danger to another person that may include but is not limited to recklessly endangering another person, harassment, stalking, ethnic intimidation, and criminal mischief.
The following is an example of a Texas statute dealing with terroristic threats:
TERRORISTIC THREAT
(a) A person commits an offense if he threatens to commit any offense involving violence to any person or property with intent to:
1. cause a reaction of any type to his threat[s] by an official or volunteer agency organized to deal with emergencies;
2. place any person in fear of imminent serious bodily injury;
3. prevent or interrupt the occupation or use of a building; room; place of assembly; place to which the public has access; place of employment or occupation; aircraft, automobile, or other form of conveyance; or other public place;
4. cause impairment or interruption of public communications, public transportation, public water, gas, or power supply or other public service;
5. place the public or a substantial group of the public in fear of serious bodily injury; or
6. influence the conduct or activities of a branch or agency of the federal government, the state, or a political subdivision of the state.
Aug 24, 2008 at 6:36 p.m.
Suggest removal
Helly - Makes YOU feel safe?? I *LIVE* in Superior!!! :)
Aug 24, 2008 at 3:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
What on earth is a “terroristic threat”? Aside from the bad grammar . . . there’s nothing in this story that makes it sound like this was in any way a terrorist-related incident. Depending on the race of the people involved, maybe the reporter meant a “hate crime”?
Aug 24, 2008 at 5:50 a.m.
Suggest removal
Cod liver oil, one Tablespoon 2-3 times a week.
Aug 24, 2008 at 3:28 a.m.
Suggest removal
A.B. 787 (the psych exam requirement for police, aka S.B. 462) languishes in committee.
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2007/data/A...
http://www.legis.state.wi.us/2007/data/S...
Aug 23, 2008 at 10:58 p.m.
Suggest removal
There's always going to be a "crooked" worker at any place of employment.
Aug 23, 2008 at 9:49 p.m.
Suggest removal
Not all police officers are cut out to be police officers. The problem is you never know who that is until it's too late.
Aug 23, 2008 at 9:21 p.m.
Suggest removal
Just a guess, but here are some possible ingredients involved in this one; a badge, self importance, testosterone, maybe some alcohol, did I mention self-importance?
Aug 23, 2008 at 8:09 p.m.
Suggest removal
Good thing psychos like that have a badge!! Sure makes me feel safe!!
Aug 23, 2008 at 7:41 p.m.
Suggest removal
"Skin that smokewagon and see what happens!"
Aug 23, 2008 at 7:40 p.m.
Suggest removal
The way people drive these days if I was carrying heat in my car I'd do the same thing.
Aug 23, 2008 at 7:16 p.m.
Suggest removal
"broke leather"? I haven't heard that like since Gunsmoke.
Before you post a comment, consider this:
Note: GazetteXtra.com does not condone or review every comment. Read more in our User Policy AgreementPost Comment
Commenting requires registration.