Posted at: 10/23/2012 4:19 PM
Updated at: 10/23/2012 9:33 PM
By: Dan Conradt
Print Story
Email to a FriendHome Explosion in Freeborn County Under Investigation
(ABC 6 News) -- An explosion at a home in a secluded neighborhood near Albert Lea has led to a disturbing discovery.
Sheriff's deputies were called to the home on Pelican Road near the edge of Albert Lea lake early Sunday. They found the owner of the home, 48-year-old Ronald Rofshus, suffering from serious injuries that reportedly occurred when he was mixing components to make an explosive device.
The Bloomington Police Department bomb squad was called to the scene, and asked for help from The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) after finding a quantity of firearms and firearm components. The FBI was also notified.
Bomb squad technicians used a remote control robot to remove several containers of components used to make explosive devices and detonated them.
Ronald Rofshus was taken to the Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment.
We did some checking and found Rofshus is a part owner of Rofshus Precision Machine in Albert Lea.The company makes plastic molding. We went there Tuesday, but nobody answered the door or answered our phone calls.
We did get in touch with Rofshus' mother. She didn't want to go on camera but says her son has always experimented and "tinkered" with things. Neighbors we talked with, like Rofshus' mother, also say they don't think he would ever intend to harm people.
We did some checking and other than some traffic violations, Rofshus does not have a criminal record in Minnesota. Freeborn County sheriff Bob Kindler was unavailable for comment Tuesday, but a news release from his office said the case is still under investigation. Investigators say no decision has been made about criminal charges.
