On January 12, 2026, at approximately 9:40 P.M., officers of the Hopkins Police Department were dispatched to reports of an incident occurring at a convenience store located at 300 11th Ave. South, City of Hopkins, Minnesota. Officers arrived on scene and contacted the reporting party, VICTIM [NAME REDACTED], who stated that he was an employee of the business and observed two individuals acting suspicious by picking up merchandise and loitering inside the store without making a purchase. VICTIM [NAME REDACTED] individuals and asked “why are you wandering around being suspicious?” In response, the first individual, identified as JAMES EDWARD WALKER [DOB REDACTED], DEFENDANT herein, responded, “Don’t ever f****** talk to me like that,” made a punching motion toward VICTIM, then said “wait until you get off.
I know when you get off. I’m gonna fight you outside.” The second person accompanying DEFENDANT, identified as K. M., told VICTIM [NAME REDACTED] would not want to fight DEFENDANT because DEFENDANT was in possession of a knife. DEFENDANT and K. M. Then left the store; however, DEFENDANT returned and loitered outside the store for some time as if waiting for VICTIM [NAME REDACTED]. According to VICTIM, he was concerned that DEFENDANT would “shank” him and had reasonable apprehension that DEFENDANT would follow through with the threat to cause him harm, so he called the police.
DEFENDANT was placed under arrest and denied threatening VICTIM. Instead, DEFENDANT claims that VICTIM accused him of loitering and on a prior occasion of stealing, this caused him to become angry. DEFENDANT stated that VICTIM [NAME REDACTED] one to suggest they should fight. Officers also determined that DEFENDANT had an active warrant for his arrest in an unrelated matter. DEFENDANT is presently in custody.
