Another great job from the WPD! Glad all are safe.

To paraphrase Captain Renault from "Casablanca": I'm shocked, shocked to find out that bad things are happening at the Roof.

Does the Red Roof pay a larger portion of taxes for running a cesspool of an operation? If not, could City Council impose a tax on those businesses that have more than their share of police calls? A very large tax? A very, very, very large tax?

There's no amount of taxes worth having a blight like The Roof in Woodbury. Shut them down, raze the building along with the old Woody's Roadhouse/The Purple People Eaters/Margarita Murphy's/Old Mexico building, improve access for traffic and bring in something more deserving of that prime piece of property...businesses that will increase the value of the entire area instead of being a waste of resources.

There's a press conference scheduled for 10:30 a.m.

Like i said before, the Roof is a meth lab in disguise and with this recent incident i think the city should shut it down.......besides it's way too close where alot of children go for rollerskating. Just think, as the school buses are driving by the Roof to bring field trip students rollerskating they can also be watching drug busts at the Roof.......what a childhood memory that would be huh? Yay!!!!!

The hotel's for sale if you want to buy it, http://www.loopnet.com/xNet/MainSite/Listing/Profile/Profile.aspx?LID=17717703&linkcode=13850&FromPPPP=true

What is it going to take before something is done with this place? An innocent bystander getting killed? A police officer being killed leaving behind loved ones? C'mon city of Woodbury, you have policies in place for businesses to follow and answer to if they don't follow them. Let's get rid of this breeding ground for big time trouble, or at least crack down BIG time on the activities going on...

Loopnet has it listed for sale at 2.4 million. I did some quick math and they gross just less than $80,000 per month with an average of 58% occupancy. I'm surprised they can stay in business.I may be asking a little much, but, would the citizens of Woodbury be willing to have the city buy it and get rid of it? We've paid for acres of free space, just add this to the list. Woodbury may be able to sell the land for the same price and let a devolper come in and build something of value.

Got this story updated. Police clips has some scanner chatter: http://soundcloud.com/mnpoliceaudio/4-45-5-10a-pt2-woodbury-mn

hey Woodbury Police had something to do other than a traffic stop! Good work out there guys, you know your stuff! It's time for the Red Roof to go, doesn't fit into the current model of the City.

I thought it was common knowledge that the Red Roof Inn was nothing more than a large cesspool. That tidbit of info reached me not long after they opened, and it clearly has gotten worse!! Time to take action and shut it down...in my humble opinion.

So you all want to just shut down red roof and transfer the problem to another town. Very responsible.
I would suggest moving as far east as possible from Century Ave. apartments if you really are sick of crime.

If (and that is it would have to be proven) this property has been used in manufacturing meth, it would be a public health violation. Such properties require expensive cleanups. I'd think the city would get together with Dept. of Public Health and "lean" on the Roof. This place has to be in some sort of condemable violation.

You people are so ridiculous it just makes me laugh. You want to close down this admitted center of criminal activity and make it harder for the PD to find these people. Here's the other thing nobody seems willing to talk about and it will most certainly impact many of you directly. Where do you think the allowances of your sons and daughters are going, folks? You want to make it hard for residents and teenagers to purchase recreational drugs (sure, there's some harder stuff out there but let's not get off track here) and what you're suggesting will do virtually nothing to prevent its use, but WILL drive up costs for many. For those of you who think Billy or Suzy would never do such a thing, pull your head in the sand and look at the statistics. Not only will these kids have to venture into more dangerous neighborhoods, but they will also have to pay more money, which of course leads to more stealing from you and your neighbors and other residents who choose not to frequent this establishment. Get informed, people, Woodbury is a better community with the Red Roof open for business.

One of the reasons there are so many problems there is it is an overflow shelter for homeless in Washington County.

I was told that by a couple of people Amy, then someone on our Facebook page, who apparently works for Washington County, says that they stopped doing that. From Jill: FYI I work for the county and we do not house people there. I believe they did in the past but not anymore.

teenagers and most established residents are not buying drugs at a Red Roof Inn, they are buying it from your neighbors or from your son who always carrys that gym bag around to go to "Lifetime". It's transients that are involved with the Red Roof Inn, and when things like this happen, you put the lean on it and shut it down. Let it be another community who deals with this, it doesn't fit with Woodbury.

As soon as I heard about a hostage situation at a Woodbury hotel, I knew exactly where it was. I agree with others shut it down already.

Added a few new photos to this post. We'll see what comes forward this afternoon.

Randy, do you have any idea what you're talking about? Where is this information coming from? Honestly. Are you with the Sheriff's Office or something?

You are all talking about the Red Roof, what about all of the Police Officers and thier families that have to endure such an event in their lives. We should be very thankful for the Woodbury Public Safety Department.Please keep the officers that responded in your prayers. Maybe the next time you see a Public Safety Staff Member you can just say Thank You!!

Thinking about the Police officers involved and their coworkers. What heartache they must be feeling over this situation. I know they are tough and choose the job; but no one ever wishes to be in a shooting. Prayers of calmness and peace sent to the entire Public Safety Department. Thank you for keeping our City safe.

It may not be a homeless overflow shelter, but there are certainly homeless individuals and families that call it home for weeks and months at time. I'm not sure where else in the area they would go. It's affordable, doesn't require a downpayment or a credit check, unlike renting.

It is a cesspool!! Mr. Marsh get a LIFE and stop stirring the pot. You sound like a drug pusher yourself. You want to sound bad a#% but come across dumb a%#!

I am not a drug pusher, Mjo, just a realist. Kids in Woodbury do drugs and occasionally steal from others to support their usage and that will not stop. Easier access to recreational drugs is simply safer for all involved. Here's a news flash for some of you Utopians, your kids are not always where they say they are (especially Eric Berg's).

It is so easy to tell who has it together and who doesn't. Those of us who suggest shutting the place down only want what is best for the community. It would be ridiculous to believe there is no crime here, however, what is so wrong with wanting to clean it up? Unless, of course, you are part of the problem ! oh! GOOD JOB, MR. BERG!! WELL SAID!

Something needs to change at this location - whether it is closing it down or rehabbing. There is too much crime and now someone has lost their life. Plus, every time the police officers respond to a call, there or anywhere, their life is at risk. This is a known problem location and by keeping it as is, we are allowing our police officers to be subjected to more risk than necessary. The headlines are talking about the man who lost his life, which is a tragedy, but nothing is mentioned about the police officers directly involved. They are struggling too and need everyone's support.

This is the hotel my daughter used to frequent. Why? Well, some nice older men introduced her to the place when she was around 15. It's a training ground for thugs and forced prostitution. I don't think you can blame the "place" itself. Blame the people. Blame the young people committing these crimes. A closer look at they and their lives will reveal the problem. It's painfully obvious and so sad.

Please I am not a resident of woodbury nor have I ever been to to the motel to know and understand what exactly is going on in that area
.But I would like to say after having 130 911 calls to that specific hotel from January to end of August and 24 calls in the last 2 weeks...it's time to shut it down. There is only one reason I'm mchoosing to get involved in this horrible incident, My daughter's father travels to Minnesota quit often..and do to working late he was not able to go.through priceline to get a hotel.(they have a cutoff time of 10:00) so not knowing the area that well decides to stay at the "roof" the exact night/morning this all happen.he was there...!!!! Please, please

Thanks for proving my point. Not your kid, I get it. Best of luck to you Wally and the Beaver.

Someone posted the Red Roof Inn is for sale. I would ask anyone within the City Council reading this post to consider raising money to purchase the property to rid Woodbury of this troublesome area. I would even be happy if my taxes went up to purchase this property. Safety is more important than money. I moved to Woodbury a few years ago because I thought it was a safe place to raise my kids. Today I asked my wife if we could sell in 5 years to move to an area where I do not worry about the safety of our children.

Wow...all I have to say is WOW. Nobody seems to be thinking of an innocent Teenager who lost his life because of some trigger happy police. I'm sorry to be even making a comment on here right now. But I had a brother who stayed there that night who was 3 doors down from the hostage room. Just makes me sick to read half of these post on here....especially the one stating "you should tell the Woodbury police thank you". Thank you for what, shooting an unarmed man. I wish I could post pictures on here. My brother took plenty of them and pictures say a thousand words. This case is far from over and WOODBURY POLICE have a lot of explaining to do and some major lawsuits coming there way. And all you people can do is talk about what a great job there doing or destroy the Red Roof in.

Look at the big picture people.

Mr berg is the "nice older gentleman" who lured the 15 year old. If we close his white trash world, where will he go ? What will he do? Michael, innocent??? Lol. Don't hang out in hotels with people who pull guns on cops, that's common sense. It's incrediably sad, yes, but innocent, NO!! What's innocent is mr berg luring a 15 year old girl into illegal prostitution. If you don't reside here or pay taxes here, you don't get an opinion.

It appears that I've struck a nerve with the people who want to appease the criminal element. That's fine. I want a safe community, and you don't have one by allowing criminals an undisturbed base of operations.

If you kick them out of the Roof, they're going to go to another cheap hotel, probably one close enough to the main highways to be convenient, but somewhat secluded in a commercial/industrial zone like the Roof...so that their actions aren't easily noticed and monitored.

There seems to be a fallacy among some that if you give them an area, they won't expand. Not true. If that were the case, we could just create one town for criminals and the rest would be absolutely safe.

Trigger happy police? Hardly. From current indications, shots were fired because the victim, either wittingly or unwittingly, associated with those committing criminal acts, including brandishing and firing a weapon. Maybe he was in the wrong place at the wrong time, maybe he was just trying to get out without being caught...point is, when you're told to get down and freeze by the police, you do so....even if you're a hostage because then they can put themselves between you and the gunman for YOUR safety.

The WPD did their job to the best of their abilities in a high stress, high stakes environment. I, like other right thinking people, wish that the teenager hadn't been killed...but it's easy to Monday Morning Quarterback days after the event.

Hope Clint paid the liability insurance premium on time.

I think the best thing that could happen is an order of abatement on the property. It's an ongoing problem. Time to end it.
Minnesota’s Public and Private Nuisance Laws:
General Public Nuisance Activity
What types of activity are considered a public nuisance?
In general, Minnesota’s public nuisance law defines “nuisance activity” to include either one behavioral incident or two separate behavioral incidents committed within a building within the previous 12 months.
One incident of any of the following activities is sufficient to constitute a public nuisance:
1. prostitution or prostitution-related activity
2. unlawful activity involving controlled substances (drugs)
3. unlawful use of a dangerous weapon
http://www.house.leg.state.mn.us/hrd/pubs/nuislaws.pdf

liberals!! once again--blame the building. the building made meth, the building causes prostitution, the building fired the guns????? if the police would patrol this place more often, the criminals would leave. instead woodbury cops are sitting on 94 and 494 collecting revenue and harassing soccer moms shuffling their kid to games(actually involved with their children). doe this make any sense??

The criticism of the police is appalling. These officers had a split second to react. There was a gun pointed at them, and then this guy runs out and DOES NOT OBEY their commands. They not only have to protect themselves but, their fellow officers and the rest of the public. How were they to know if he was a danger or not? Especially when he was not obeying them. You mean to tell me that if a gun was pointed at you and then someone ran towards you disobeying your commands to stop you would not use any kind of force? I find it hard to believe.
It is a terrible tragedy that the young man was unarmed, but they had no way of knowing. And it is something that these officers will have to live with forever.

Sorry but the cops did not have a gun pointed at them and they had enough time to see that the hostage they shot did NOT have a gun. The hostage was panicking and running towards the cops for help and to get away from the guy who was shooting at him!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Plus 10 to 12 shots in the body of the hostage that the police killed. I would say that number of shots was a few TOO many !!!!!!!!!

i agree with laurie. deeply saddening that these officers will be given a celebration and or promotion of some sort. most likely a medal/trophy. a dozen shots at a very young man who was clearly not the threat in the situation? i truly hope that the witnesses can do something for this young man's family. very sad story. also shutting down red roof doesnt sound half bad.