Police shoot, wound Albert Lea man

ALBERT LEA (AP) -- An Albert Lea man was recovering Monday after being shot by police who said the 31-year-old charged at them with a knife.

The man was being sought after he allegedly stabbed his girlfriend several times at an apartment Saturday night. The 33-year-old woman was in critical condition at St. Marys Hospital in Rochester, police said.

Police from Albert Lea and Austin were called around 7 p.m. Sunday after a gas station attendant reported that the suspect had just visited the store. Using a tracking dog, police spotted him heading into a wooded area.

When two officers tried to arrest the suspect, he ran at them with a knife, police said. The officers fired at least two shots, one of which pierced the suspect's chest.

He underwent surgery at Naeve Hospital in Albert Lea. Police said he was out of critical condition and recovering Monday.

No officers were hurt.

The two officers involved in the shooting were placed on paid administrative leave, which is standard procedure, until the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension finishes investigating the shooting.

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Story contributed on-cycle by The Albert Lea Tribune.