On 11/10/2025 MPD officers were dispatched to a domestic abuse in progress call at 1XXX 7th St N, Minneapolis, Hennepin County. Two calls were received. One was a female yelling in the background, but she did not make any statements to 911. The second caller reported they could hear a female screaming and crying with sounds of being assaulted in a neighboring apartment. They further stated they heard a female screaming "CALL 911!" Upon arrival, officers first attempted to call the female back, later identified as Victim SK. Victim SK answered the phone and said everything was fine, but sounded winded and apprehensive.
Officers eventually located Victim SK who was in the stairwell of the apartment complex. Victim SK appeared to have been crying and had a scratch on her left eyelid that was swollen. Victim SK stated her child's father, later identified by IL DL as MICHAEL STEPHEN WATSON JR, [DOB redacted] (now referred to as "DEFENDANT"), had assaulted her following an argument causing her injuries. Victim SK explained they were arguing because she wanted to move out of the apartment at the end of her lease. Victim SK and DEFENDANT had been broken up for approximately one year prior but have been living together for six years and have a 10-year-old child in common.
Victim SK said that during the argument she tried to gather her things and leave the apartment, but DEFENDANT grabbed her from behind, pushed her to the ground and struck her in the face, possibly with his foot as she tried to get up, causing the injury to her eyelid. Victim SK said her phone fell out of her sweatshirt pocket and she tried to reach for it to call 911 but DEFENDANT took it from her. DEFENDANT then tackled Victim SK into the wall, injuring her left arm/shoulder. Victim SK then opened the apartment door and yelled into the hallway for someone to call 911. DEFENDANT tackled Victim SK again.
Victim SK said she injured her finger while attempting to block DEFENDANT from hitting her. During the assault DEFENDANT was saying things such as "I'm gonna go to jail," "I'm gonna lose my job," "you hoes are liars," "f*** you b****," "you're not getting your phone," "you're not taking my kid." Victim SK said she was "terrified" during the assault and that she was afraid of "getting my s*** knocked in and not being able to protect my kid." Victim SK said the assault stopped when an officer called the landline and she said everything was fine.
DEFENDANT then gave back her phone. Victim SK said her daughter was in the apartment at the time of the assault. Officers additionally spoke with Victim SK's neighbor, Witness CC, who said he heard the sound of a door slamming and then a physical fight coming from DEFENDANT and Victim SK's apartment and called 911. 2 ••-CR-••-•••• Filed in District Court State of Minnesota 12/29/2025 He then saw both parties emerging from the apartment and Victim SK had visible injuries. DEFENDANT was taken into custody and initially charged with M-Domestic Assault.
