He’s an NRA-certified instructor who owns a gun range, and everyone was fortunate that he was there.
The hero off-duty police officer who intervened to stop the St. Cloud jihadist attacker has been identified as firearms trainer and concealed carry advocate Officer Jason Falconer.
Falconer was identified by the St. Cloud Times as the off-duty police officer who shot and killed Dahir Adan, a Somali immigrant who entered Crossroads Center Shopping Mall on September 17 with a knife and stabbed nine people.
“I want to recognize the individual off-duty police officer who eliminated the threat, and took down the suspect,” said St. Cloud Mayor Dave Kleis, noting that Falconer “clearly prevented additional injuries and potentially loss of life.”
Kleis called Falconer a hero, saying he “happened to be in the right place at the right time.”
Falconer identified himself as a police officer, and the suspect lunged at him, Kleis said according to the St. Cloud Times. It was at that moment Officer Falconer opened fire, killing the suspect.
The Minnesota Star Tribune reports that Falconer is not seeking recognition for his heroism.