In the morning hours on or about December 5, 2025, Minneapolis police responded to an assault report at a home on the 1700 block of Como Avenue Southeast in Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. Upon arrival on scene, officer spoke with S. G. (“Victim 1” herein) and F. A. (“Victim 2” herein). Victim 1 told officers that she, her friend A. I., and A. I.’s friend, later identified as ABDIFATAH MOHAMED ALI (“Defendant” herein), were over at Victim 2’s house the night before. Victim 1 said Defendant was intoxicated, and eventually A. I. Left but Defendant stayed at Victim 2’s home.
Victim 2’s children started waking up and needed to get ready for school, so Victims 1 and 2 asked Defendant to leave. Victim 1 said this made Defendant angry, and Defendant started throwing things. Defendant then grabbed a knife from the kitchen and chased Victims 1 and 2 around the house. Victims 1 and 2 stated Defendant tried to stab them with the knife. Victims 1 and 2 fled out the front door of the home, and Defendant followed. Victim 1 stated a neighbor was outside, and when Defendant saw the neighbor, he put the knife down and walked towards his car.
Victims 1 and 2 then went back inside and shut and locked the door. Victim 1 stated Defendant returned to the home, kicked on the door, and then left again when he couldn’t get back inside. During a follow-up interview, Victim 1 told officers that the assault started when Victims 1 and 2 asked Defendant to leave Victim 2’s home. This caused Defendant to punch and kick at both Victims 1 and 2. Victim 1 stated Defendant then walked over to the kitchen, grabbed a knife, and chased Victims 1 and 2 around the home with the knife in hand.
Victim 1 said Defendant held the knife with the blade upwards, towards his thumb, and he was attempting to stab Victim 1. Victim 1 stated Defendant yelled things such as, “Bitch I’m going to kill you,” and “I’m going to stab you,” as he chased Victims 1 and 2 around the home. Victim 1 stated Defendant also grabbed a liquor bottle and threw it, striking Victim 2 in the head. This is when Victim 1 called 911, which further angered Defendant. After calling 911, Victims 1 and 2 fled the home through the front door.
Defendant put the knife down and left the residence, saying he was going to get his gun and come back to shoot Victims 1 and 2. Victims 1 and 2 went back inside and locked the door. Defendant returned, banged on the front door, and then left again when he could not get inside. Victim 1 told officers that A. I. Knew the name of Defendant, but he was refusing to identify him. The knife used in the assault was sent to the Minneapolis Forensic Services Division, where a friction ridge imprint was developed.
This friction ridge imprint was positively identified as a match to Defendant’s left thumb. Victim 1 provided officers with the SnapChat account information for Defendant. At the time, Victim 1 did not know Defendant’s name, only his SnapChat information. Officers confirmed Defendant’s identity based on SnapChat photographs and the account provided by Victim 1. Victim 1 and Victim 2 participated in separate photo lineups, wherein both Victims 1 and 2 picked Defendant as the person who assaulted them on December 5, 2025.
