Source: Police had been called to home of Roseville shooting suspect earlier in the day

A man killed while exchanging gunfire with police Tuesday in Roseville had documented mental health concerns, and a source tells 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS officers responded to the suspect’s home earlier in the day on a mental health call. 

Multiple law enforcement sources have confirmed to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the suspect who shot a Roseville police officer is 53-year-old Jesse Werling.

Werling shot at both neighboring homes and Roseville police officers responding to the shooting at West Owasso Boulevard and Victoria Street North around 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday. Law enforcement officials say Werling fired over 100 gunshots.

One responding officer was shot in the face but is in stable condition, according to Roseville Police Chief Erika Scheider. The officer, a three-year veteran with the agency, was dragged to safety by his partners and was rushed to the hospital.

“Listening to how things unfolded last night, I could not be prouder of the bravery and courage that was displayed by our officers,” Scheider said Wednesday morning. “Knowing innocent lives were on the line, they ran to the threat and they did exactly what they’re trained to do, all of this knowing that their partner had just been struck by gunfire.”

Police say about an hour after the first call came in, an officer found Werling and shot him. Werling died after being transported to the hospital, according to law enforcement.

A source with knowledge of the investigation told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS officers responded to Werling’s house for a mental health call earlier on Tuesday, hours before he was reported to be shooting a firearm. The source also said Werling called dispatchers during the middle of the shooting and told them he had a rifle.

Roseville police had responded to Werling’s house about 15 times in the past, police records show. Law enforcement had put an alert on his Werling for “mental health cautions related to resisting police and danger,” according to a police report.

Court records in both Wisconsin and Minnesota show Werling had a history of threatening behavior and violent outbursts.

Werling had been committed twice for mental health treatment, both in 2018 and 2019. He was also declared mentally ill, which should have prevented him from possessing a gun.

“We’re still trying to figure out what the motive is and what exactly led up to this event,” Scheider said Wednesday.

A GoFundMe for the injured officer has been started.