Cottage Grove man arrested after knife-waving at elementary prompts lockdown

Touyer Yang, 46, of Cottage Grove, was taken into custody after entering the locked vestibule of Cottage Grove Elementary School on Feb. 3 while waving a large butcher-style knife and banging on doors and windows, according to local reports. Officers booked Yang at the Washington County Jail in Stillwater, and authorities say no students or staff were injured.

School employees first reported a black pick-up truck driving erratically in the school parking lot and, in one account, taking pictures of an employee while driving, Fox 9 reported. Witnesses say Yang parked the truck, walked to the school carrying a large butcher knife and entered the school’s locked entryway, where staff inside heard yelling they could not make out, KSTP and MN CRIME said.

Several children were in a common area just beyond the vestibule doors when staff moved them quickly into classrooms and other secure areas; MN CRIME and KSTP reported some children were “visibly frightened.” A third employee reportedly saw Yang striking the vestibule doors with the knife, and investigators later documented multiple marks on all four vestibule doors and windows consistent with being struck by a knife, with repair and replacement costs estimated to exceed $1,000, MN CRIME and KSTP said.

TwinCities reported that officers arrived just before noon and that Yang was arrested within six minutes of the initial call. Police posted that “All students and staff of the school are safe” and that the “individual never went beyond the locked vestibule, and responding officers were able to safely apprehend the individual without incident,” TwinCities said.

A search of Yang’s black pick-up truck turned up six additional knives, KSTP reported, and Fox 9 noted a traffic cone was stuck under the truck. Police observed bloodshot eyes and the smell of alcohol, administered field sobriety tests during which Yang “swayed,” and say he refused a breath test, KSTP and Fox 9 reported. While in the booking room, Yang “admitted, unprompted, to drinking before going to the school,” KSTP added.

MN CRIME listed charges against Yang including possession of a dangerous weapon on school property, making threats of violence, first-degree property damage for damage exceeding $1,000, and two counts of driving while impaired. MN CRIME reported that the charges of possession and property damage carry up to five years in prison and the threats charge carries a possible maximum of three years. At his initial court appearance bail was set at $5,000 with conditions to remain law-abiding, have no alcohol use, and submit to alcohol monitoring and random testing, MN CRIME said.

South Washington County Schools Superintendent Julie Nielsen in a letter to families emphasized school safety, writing, “The safety of our students and staff is our absolute priority.” Nielsen added, “We are incredibly grateful for the swift response of our school team and the Cottage Grove Police Department,” and asked families to “Please continue to support our work in staying vigilant and reporting potential issues immediately. It takes all of us working together to ensure our communities are safe places to live and learn,” TwinCities reported.

Authorities have not released a motive for Yang’s actions, and no additional court dates beyond the initial appearance were provided in the reports.