On March 16, 2026, at approximately 7:42 A.M., Officer Kurt Knutsen of the Rochester Police Department was dispatched to the 3000 block of Technology Drive Northwest in Rochester, Minnesota, for a domestic assault. Upon arrival, Officer Knutsen met with Victim (an adult female fully-identified in the incident report). Officer Knutson observed Victim in visible distress and it appeared the kitchen island had been moved in an attempt to barricade the door. Victim told Officer Knutsen that she was in a relationship with Philip Gonzalez since October of 2023 and the two of them moved in together in January of 2026. She said Gonzalez has a history of violence including a prior assault in Winona and the two of them broke up on March 14th of 2026. Victim [NAME REDACTED], around 5:30 A.M., Gonzalez showed up at her apartment and assaulted her -- slapping her in the face near the bathroom and then pushing her onto the couch where he slapped her twice on each side of her face.
Victim [NAME REDACTED] during the assault, Gonzalez turned up the T. V. So the neighbors wouldn't hear. Victim said she tried to call 911 by clicking the button on the side of her phone five times, but Gonzalez took her phone. Victim [NAME REDACTED] was able to get Gonzalez off of her by kicking him and said Gomez left left her apartment shortly after. Victim said she opened the door of her apartment to check and Gonzalez was still there. Victim said she then fled to a neighbor's apartment for safety.
While speaking to Victim, Officer Knutsen observed a scratch with a small amount of blood near her left eye and other marks which consistent with her account. Officer Knutsen then spoke with the neighbor, herinafter Witness (an adult female fully-identified in the incident report). Witness said she heard noises and an argument coming from the victim's apartment early that morning. Witness said she heard Victim [NAME REDACTED], witnessed Gonzalez throw Victim's phone down the hallway, and invited Victim into her apartment for safety.
On March 16, 2026, Officer Knutsen had contact with Gonzalez who said he had an "on and off" relationship with Victim [NAME REDACTED] went to Victim's apartment to bring her dog food. Gonzalez claimed Victim tried to take his phone because he was out last night before with his friends, but ultimately admitted to taking Victim's phone out of retaliation. Officer Knutsen advised Gonzalez to turn himself in but Gonzalez would not say where he was. A subsequent review of Gonzalez's criminal history revealed two qualified prior domestic violence related offenses: a prior conviction for domestic assault against the same victim from 01/10/2025, in court file 85- CR-24-1196; and a prior conviction for Assault in the Fourth Degree from 01/10/2025, in court file 85-CR- 24-461. Defendant is currently on probation in Winona County in court file ••-CR-••-••••. A complaint warrant is hereby requested.
