A New Brighton man stabbed two people in their bed at a Coon Rapids home, leaving one victim in critical condition and both needing emergency surgery, according to charges.
Wesley Al McDaniel, 36, faces two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of first-degree assault and two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon inflicting substantial bodily harm. The charges were filed Friday, August 28, in Anoka County District Court.
According to the complaint, officers responded to a residence in Coon Rapids on August 27 after an adult male called 911 to report that he and an adult female had been stabbed by McDaniel. When officers arrived, they found both victims in their bed, covered in blood, with large amounts of blood on the carpet and bed, and blood spatter on a nearby dresser.
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The male victim suffered two severe lacerations to his neck, a significant injury to his eye and a chest wound. Medical staff later determined he had more than 15 stab wounds and was in critical condition, requiring emergency surgery at Hennepin County Medical Center. The female victim had multiple stab wounds to her head and arms, with some wounds exposing her skull. She also required emergency facial reconstruction surgery.
Officers spoke briefly with the female victim at the hospital. She told officers that about a week before the attack, the male victim had picked up McDaniel from treatment and that McDaniel had been staying at their residence. In the days before the stabbing, McDaniel stayed with friends in Minneapolis, but the male victim brought him back to the home on August 26.
The complaint states the female victim awoke that night to the sound of the male victim screaming and saw McDaniel stabbing him with a steak knife. As she woke up, McDaniel began stabbing her as well. He then fled in the female victim’s SUV, which was found abandoned in Minneapolis on August 27.
Officers were unable to locate McDaniel after the attack, and his whereabouts were unknown when the complaint was filed. Prosecutors requested a warrant for his arrest.
McDaniel was arrested on August 29 and booked into the Anoka County Jail. Bail was set at $3 million.
About This Charge
Minnesota’s criminal-attempt statute, § 609.17, generally limits punishment for attempt to no more than half the maximum for the completed offense, and caps it at 20 years when the completed offense carries life imprisonment. Attempted first-degree murder therefore carries up to 20 years in prison.
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Columbia Heights Man Charged After Restaurant Shooting • Anoka Man Charged in Firearm Incident at Apartment Parking Lot • Fridley Man Charged with Felony Assault After Threatening Woman with Knife
Jurisdictional Context
Anoka County, north of the Twin Cities, is served by the Anoka County Attorney’s Office through the Tenth Judicial District. The Anoka County Courthouse in Anoka hears felony matters; the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office operates the Anoka County Jail.
