The victim identified the teen as his attacker and told deputies the two had gotten into an argument.
A family argument over the weekend led a Lake Elmo teenager to stab a relative with a knife, puncturing the man’s lung and causing it to collapse and fill with fluid, according to charging documents filed Monday in Washington County District Court.
The 17-year-old boy was charged Monday with first-degree felony assault in Washington County District Court. He was arrested Saturday afternoon after police were called to a house in the 10000 block of Third Street Place North around 3:15 p.m. When deputies arrived, they found the 33-year-old victim “bleeding from two stab wounds to his chest and upper back,” according to a press release from the Washington County Sheriff’s Office.
The victim identified the teen as his attacker and told deputies the two had gotten into an argument.
At one point during the argument, the teen reportedly left the room and went to an upstairs bedroom. He returned with a knife and stabbed the victim in the chest and back. Deputies administered medical aid until emergency medical services arrived, and the victim was transported by ambulance to Region’s Hospital in St. Paul.
“The severity of (his) actions cannot be understated, and it is fortunate that no further harm was inflicted,” said Washington County Attorney Kevin Magnuson. “Violence of this nature has no place in our community, and it is the duty of my office to ensure this juvenile is held accountable for his dangerous actions.”
Deputies found the teen inside the house and took him into custody. He later provided a statement to investigators where he admitted to stabbing the victim.
A search warrant was executed on the residence and the knife was recovered in an upstairs bedroom.
At a hearing Monday afternoon, the Washington County Attorney’s Office filed a motion to certify the teen for prosecution as an adult. He was ordered to remain in the custody of the Washington County Jail pending a hearing scheduled for Friday.
Assistant Washington County Attorney Jamie Kreuser is prosecuting the case.
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