Crime & Safety
South St. Paul Man Sentenced For Attempted Murder Of 2 Cops
The man shot two South St. Paul police officers with a shotgun he grabbed from his car.
SOUTH ST. PAUL, MN — Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom announced that Dustin Allen Bilderback, 34 of South St. Paul, was sentenced today by Judge Karen Asphaug to a total of 240 months in custody in connection with the shooting of two South St. Paul police officers on July 19, 2018.
This was the maximum sentence allowed by the Minnesota Sentencing Guidelines. Bilderback pled guilty Oct. 14, 2019 to two counts of attempted murder in the first degree.
The additional two counts of intentional attempted murder were dismissed, according to a news release.
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On July 19, 2018, officers of the South St. Paul Police Department were dispatched to a supportive housing group home to conduct a welfare check on Bilderback.
At the home, the officers approached Bilderback and his mental health case worker outside the residence. Officers spoke to Bilderback and then began conferring with his case worker to determine whether to place Bilderback on a 72-hour mental health hold.
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While talking with the case worker, Bilderback walked to his car parked in back of the group home. One of the responding officers followed him to ensure that Bilderback did not leave the group home until a decision had been made about the 72-hour hold.
When Bilderback reached his car, he pulled out a shotgun from the back seat. The officer turned and ran to take cover when he saw the shotgun.
Bilderback shot the officer, striking the officer in the left side of the officer's back, neck and arm. Bilderback continued to walk toward the officers and continued firing at them.
He fired multiple shots striking a second officer in the leg. Bilderback fired his weapon a total of six times. Two of the officers returned fire, but did not hit Bilderback.
The officers shouted commands to Bilderback to drop his weapon, which he did but only after running out of ammunition. He was then arrested.
Backstrom commented: "We are pleased this individual has taken responsibility for these serious actions against peace officers."
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