Court Records: St. Cloud Man Admits Attacking Officer with Knife, Says Police Were Justified in Shooting

(KNSI) – A man shot by police after attacking an officer with a knife on Friday afternoon says police had every right to fire.

Kyeon Royale Hill made an appearance on Monday in Stearns County District Court on a felony charge of first-degree assault with a weapon and a misdemeanor charge of domestic assault.

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to the 600 block of 8th Avenue North for a dispute between a man and a woman. The woman told police she had called Hill to pick up some of his property. She says the 46-year-old was agitated and lunged at her with his fists as if he was about to punch her. The victim reported she was terrified and called police.

Court records show Hill was sitting in his car outside when police approached and saw he had a knife. Officers told Hill to drop the knife and get out of the vehicle multiple times, but he refused and at one point stated he wasn’t going to let police arrest him.

Investigators say he ultimately exited the vehicle with a cell phone in his hand. When officers told him to turn around because he was under arrest, Hill allegedly swung an open knife in his other hand and lunged at the officer, cutting the cop in the left tricep. A witness says Hill was swearing and stated he was going to kill the officer.

The officer under attack fired one round, hitting Hill. He was then taken to St. Cloud Hospital for treatment.

Hill told police he heard officers tell him he was under arrest and admitted to attacking the officer with a knife. He told investigators police had every right to shoot. Bail was set at $1,000,000 with conditions and $2,000,000 without conditions. His next court hearing is set for May 19th.

___