Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom announced that Dustin Allen Bilderback, age 34 of South St. Paul, pled guilty to two counts of Attempted Murder in the First Degree in connection with the July 19, 2018, shooting of two peace officers in South St. Paul. According to the criminal complaint, officers of the South St. Paul Police Department were dispatched to a supportive housing group home to conduct a welfare check on Bilderback. Upon reaching the group home, the officers encountered Bilderback and his mental health caseworker outside the residence. While officers spoke with the case worker, Bilderback walked to his car parked in back of the group home. One of the responding officers followed him to ensure that Bilderback did not leave. Upon reaching his car, Bilderback pulled out a shotgun from the back seat, and the officer turned and ran to take cover. Bilderback shot at the officer, striking him in the left side of the his back, neck and arm. Bilderback continued to walk toward the officers and continued firing at them. He fired multiple shots striking a second officer in the leg. Bilderback fired his weapon a total of six times. Both officers survived. Judge Karen Asphaug ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set the sentencing date for January 7, 2020 at 9 AM. The additional two counts of Intentional Attempted Murder in the Second Degree will be dismissed at the time of sentencing.
