On December 21, 2025, at 2000 hours, Metro Transit police officers responded to a weapons complaint at the Union Depot light rail platform, St. Paul, Ramsey County. Trip agents, NAM, [DOB REDACTED], and SS, [DOB REDACTED], reported that a male threatened them with a folding saw blade when they attempted to check his fare. The agents stated that after they announced fare checks and approached the male, he pulled out the saw blade and pointed it at them. An unidentified man got between the male and the trip agents and told the male to put the blade away.
The male exited the train and stabbed at and slashed at the side of the train as he exited. Officers located the male on another train and arrested him. They identified him as Ryan Adam Tayao, [DOB REDACTED]. Officers recovered a large folding saw on his person. The saw resembled a large machete. Officers transported Tayao to Regions Hospital for treatment of a facial injury that he received prior to this incident. He was also aggressive and threatening to hospital staff. When he was medically cleared, officers booked him for threats of violence and a warrant for felony assault in the fifth degree.
Tayao has prior convictions for Threats of Violence (2022), felony Assault in the Fifth Degree (2025), and Assault in the Fourth Degree (2025).
