Prior Lake man charged with attempting to kill 2 Burnsville police officers

A Prior Lake man has been charged with attempting to kill two Burnsville police officers.

According to the Dakota County Attorney’s Office, 39-year-old Ricardo Manuel Baldazo is charged with two counts of first-degree attempted murder and two counts of first-degree assault.

A criminal complaint states Burnsville police were called to a home for a reported burglary on Sept. 2. A man had reported someone had just broken into his house and was holding him at gunpoint, and then he hung up. Calls to reach the man again were unsuccessful.

Two nearby detectives arrived in an unmarked patrol car a short time later, the complaint continues. They saw an elderly woman sitting on the front deck who didn’t appear to be distressed, and she told police everything was fine and she wasn’t sure why police were called to her home.

The complaint states the woman also said her son, Baldazo, was taking a nap inside. A man also arrived and identified himself as Baldazo’s brother, adding that Baldazo was inside the home, high and had guns with him. A short time later, gunshots were heard coming from inside the home. Officers took cover and set up a perimeter as more shots were fired.

According to the complaint, several officers at the scene feared for their own safety and the safety of others nearby, and several gunshots struck trees very near to two police officers.

Eventually, Baldazo was seen jumping from a window while holding a gun in each hand, the complaint states. Officers ordered him to drop the guns, which he did. Paramedics then transported him to a hospital.

Inside the home, officers found several holes in the walls from bullets, numerous spent casings and two live rounds.

The woman told police Baldazo came over around 4 a.m. because he’d gotten into a fight with his girlfriend. She said she last spoke with him just minutes before police arrived and she thought he seemed completely normal.

Baldazo made his first court appearance Friday. His bail was set at $1 million without conditions or $750,000 with conditions.

His next court appearance is set for Sept. 25.