The following is based on your complainant’s review of the reports of other officers and your complainant’s own investigation: On January 18, 2026, at about 6:45pm, Ramsey County Emergency 911 received a call from a home on Arlington Ave. In St. Paul, Ramsey County. The caller said that her mother was threatening the family with a knife. The family members were said to be hiding in a room. St. Paul Police responded and met with the caller, MK ([DOB REDACTED]). She and other family members live in the home with her mother, the defendant, TA KYAE ([DOB REDACTED]). MK said that this evening, her younger siblings had been arguing at the home, upsetting the defendant, who began to argue with one of them.
She said that the defendant went to the kitchen, briefly sharpened a butcher knife, but then grabbed a smaller kitchen knife (with a blade about 4 to 5 inches long). She said that the defendant then pointed the knife at her (MK), threatening to stab her and the other children if they were to call police. She said that the defendant had been drinking and also suffers from depression. MK’s boyfriend was present as well. He confirmed that the defendant had argued with one of the children, became agitated, and eventually grabbed a small kitchen knife.
He said that she also briefly held a butcher knife. He said that the children were able to get away from the defendant into a room, while he stayed outside attempting to protect them from her. He said that he was able to get the knives away from the defendant. The defendant was at the door of the home when officers arrived. She smelled of alcohol and was highly agitated. She said that several of her daughters had been arguing and that she told them not to do so. She claimed that MK then told her that MK wanted to die.
She said that she took out a sharp kitchen knife to “kill first,” eventually clarifying that she was referring to killing herself. She said that MK’s boyfriend eventually took the knife. Officers were unable to identify the knife that was used. In a follow up interview, MK reiterated her statements at the scene. She clarified that she understood (but did not see firsthand) that the defendant grabbed a knife during the initial argument. She said that she then saw the defendant sharpening the knife in the kitchen while looking angry.
She said that it was a short time later that the defendant threatened to stab her if she were to call police. She said that she locked her siblings into a bedroom for safety.
