An Elk River man armed with a kitchen knife threatened another man in the hallway of their apartment building after a heated exchange from their balconies, prosecutors say.
Harold D. Selvey Jr., 59, faces three charges: second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, threats of violence with reckless disregard for risk and fifth-degree assault for causing fear of bodily harm or death.
The confrontation unfolded at about 8:40 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12, when the victim and a witness left to go to the store, according to the complaint filed August 14 in Sherburne County District Court. As they were leaving, Selvey yelled from his balcony, calling the victim a “b****.” The victim said he yelled back, using the same insult.
After returning from the store, the victim, the first witness and a second witness went onto the balcony of the victim’s apartment, where Selvey was also outside. The parties exchanged words in a verbal dispute.
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The complaint states the second witness wanted to leave, so the victim and the first witness walked him out. As they walked down the hallway, Selvey emerged from his apartment holding a kitchen knife described as having a dark handle and a large silver blade longer than six inches.
Selvey threatened the victim with the knife, blocking his path and making stabbing motions by holding the knife overhead in a reverse grip. He also verbally threatened to stab the victim, who later told officers he felt his life was in danger.
A third witness told law enforcement she saw the victim looking secluded and scared while Selvey held a knife and yelled something like, “leave me alone.” She said she felt safe intervening because Selvey and Selvey’s wife both liked her, and her actions allowed the victim to leave safely.
When officers spoke with Selvey, he claimed there were ongoing issues at the apartment since he moved in, saying people were antagonizing him by yelling up at him from the ground level. Selvey said he was making dinner when someone knocked on his door and a group of people was outside. He told officers he tried to shut the door but the deadbolt got turned and it would not close.
Selvey stated he grabbed a stick to protect himself because he believed he would be assaulted, and denied having a knife. However, law enforcement found a knife matching the description on the kitchen counter.
The charge of second-degree assault alleges Selvey threatened the victim with a dangerous weapon, specifically a large kitchen knife. The threats of violence charge stems from Selvey’s verbal threats to stab the victim, while the fifth-degree assault charge is based on causing the victim to fear bodily harm or death.
The case was filed Friday, August 14. A court date has not yet been set.
About This Charge
Minnesota classifies assault by degree under § 609.221 (first), § 609.222 (second), § 609.223 (third), § 609.2231 (fourth) and § 609.224 (fifth). First-degree assault, alleging great bodily harm, carries up to 20 years in prison. The lower degrees range from gross-misdemeanor up to 10-year felony exposure depending on weapon use and harm.
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Jurisdictional Context
Sherburne County, north of the Twin Cities metro, is served by the Sherburne County Attorney’s Office through the Tenth Judicial District. Felony cases are heard at the Sherburne County Government Center in Elk River.
