Friend of standoff suspect won't be charged

Robb Murray
The Free Press

MANKATO May 06, 2008 10:27 pm

— The man accused Monday of obstructing law enforcement during an armed standoff actually may have helped improve the situation.
Police now say Kristopher Rysavy, a 24-year-old Minnesota State University student from Grand Rapids, was trying to help stop his friend Greg Papin from hurting himself or others.
Rysavy could not be reached for comment, but a family member at his Grand Rapids home said Rysavy may have saved Papin’s life.
Authorities on Monday said Rysavy possibly was facing criminal charges for refusing to leave the area. Papin, 27, reportedly an Iraq War veteran and part-time MSU student, had called a crisis line to complain about treatment from the Veterans Affairs Medical Center. He told the crisis center he was going to “make a stand” in his Glenwood Terrace apartment. The crisis line, in turn, called police.
On Monday police said Rysavy’s role was unclear.

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