A Blaine man threatened to kill the victim and came at her with a knife at a Blaine residence, prosecutors say.
Joseph Arne Ecker, 61, faces a charge of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
According to the complaint, officers responded to a residence on 89th Lane Northeast in Blaine at about 6:06 p.m. on September 28 after a report of an assault. While officers were on their way, the victim was advised to leave the house and meet police at a nearby gas station for her safety.
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At the gas station, the victim told officers that Ecker has a traumatic brain injury. She said Ecker is on parole for murder, and his parole officer had advised her to hide his keys and phone because he should not be driving due to his brain injury and lack of a license.
The complaint states that Ecker became upset when the victim would not give him access to his phone or keys, yelling that she was holding him hostage. Ecker screamed that he was not on parole, and when the victim reminded him that he was, Ecker threatened her, saying, “I’m gonna kill you, you b****. Don’t you ever say that to me again.”
Ecker then ran to the kitchen, grabbed a knife and approached the victim with the blade pointed toward her, according to the complaint. The victim, who was sitting in a recliner, closed her eyes and turned away, believing Ecker was going to stab her because he had hurt her in the past. She reported sensing something close to the right side of her face but did not see what it was.
Afterward, Ecker told the victim, “I’ve had enough of you,” and returned to the kitchen to put the knife down. He continued yelling before running out of the house. The victim then took her dog and left the residence.
The victim described the knife as having a five- to six-inch silver blade, curved at the end with a smooth edge and a black handle. Officers conducted a lethality assessment with the victim, which resulted in a “high risk” determination. The victim told police she was scared of Ecker.
The charge of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon alleges that Ecker threatened the victim with a knife in a manner that caused her to fear for her safety.
The charge was filed Tuesday, September 29, in Anoka County District Court.
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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.
