On December 8, 2025, Minneapolis Police were dispatched to a residence located on the 2300 block of Sheridan Avenue North in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota upon a request for a welfare check of a known adult male, Victim herein, due to a domestic assault in progress. Officers responded and knocked on the door, which was opened by Victim. Officers asked what was going on and Victim responded, "domestic violence." Officers could see that Victim had bruising to his right eye. Victim appeared fearful of NHIA THAO, DEFENDANT herein, who was also present in the residence.
Victim [NAME REDACTED] in a romantic relationship for 9 years and have lived together for 6 years. Victim told officers that he and Defendant got into an argument over money and bills. During the argument, Defendant bit Victim. Defendant then wrapped a phone cord around Victim's neck and strangled him while saying, "Go f--king die." Victim recounted that he lost consciousness causing him to fall and hit his head on the cabinet or wall. Victim stated that Defendant wrapped the cord around his neck a second time causing him to lose consciousness again.
Officers noticed distinct and fresh ligature marks to Victim's neck and a bump to his head in addition to the visible bruising. Victim stated that he believed Defendant stopped strangling him because Defendant didn't really want him to die. In a follow-up interview, Victim [NAME REDACTED] had been violence in their relationship previously that was sometimes mutual. Victim [NAME REDACTED] incident, Defendant strangled him twice with a phone cord. Victim [NAME REDACTED] told to die by Defendant. Victim [NAME REDACTED] was strangled to the point he blacked out Defendant was arrested and advised of his rights pursuant to Miranda.
Defendant stated that Victim [NAME REDACTED] at Defendant over a text Defendant received. Defendant stated that he came home from work and tried to go to sleep, but Victim wouldn't let him sleep and started hassling him about not paying for the bills. Defendant stated that Victim got angry and threw a basket of checks at Defendant. Defendant stated that he threw a bunch of items back at Victim and pushed him out of the room. Defendant stated that Victim grabbed a knife and threw it at Defendant, and he threw it back.
Defendant stated that Victim then left the residence for about 30 minutes. When Victim returned, Victim started to clean up the house and was making noise while Defendant was trying to sleep. The two threw a pill bottle at one another. Victim then said to Defendant to hit him until he dies. Defendant said he got angry, gabbed a phone cord and wrapped it around Victim's neck. Defendant stated that he pulled the cord for several seconds before stopping. He said that Victim was fighting back against him, so he bit Victim [NAME REDACTED]. Defendant stated that he stopped strangling Victim [NAME REDACTED] didn't want Victim [NAME REDACTED]. Defendant has a prior conviction for misdemeanor domestic assault from August 2019 (••-CR-••-••••). Given the serious nature of this conduct and the risk to public safety, the State requests that this complaint be issued as a warrant.
