Fridley Hotel Attack Leads to Assault Charges Against 2 Suspects

Oct 2

Two people from Minneapolis face felony charges after police say they assaulted a man with a hammer inside a Fridley hotel room, holding him captive until a SWAT team forced entry.

According to charging documents, officers were first called to the LivInn Hotel on Central Avenue on Sept. 30 after a text message to 911 reported someone in distress in one of the rooms.

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They found Ricardo Marlon Curtis Jr., 39, and Kristine Michael Myrmel, 38, inside. Both told officers nothing was wrong, though Myrmel had visible bruising on her face. Officers left after the pair denied any concerns.

About 30 minutes later, another 911 text came from a man who said he was being held in the bathroom. He sent dispatchers photos and video through Prepared Live, a 911 platform, showing him bloodied and badly injured. He told dispatchers he had been beaten with a hammer and was “fading” from blood loss.

When officers returned, Curtis blocked them from entering. SWAT negotiators attempted to resolve the situation, but communication was lost when the victim’s phone died. Officers forced entry and found the man naked and badly injured in the bathroom. Both Curtis and Myrmel were arrested.

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The victim told detectives he had just met the pair that day. Curtis, who introduced himself as “Malice,” offered to sell him drugs. Once inside the hotel room, Curtis allegedly struck him in the head with a stick that broke on impact, then punched him in the face. Curtis apologized and the victim believed the attack was over. Minutes later, Curtis began “hissing” at him, blocked the door and attacked again — this time using the victim’s own hammer from his backpack.

The victim said Curtis struck him up to 15 times with the hammer, forced him to shower blood off, then resumed the attacks. He described believing he was going to die. Curtis allegedly hit him with a belt and even bit him during the assaults. At one point, Curtis shoved Myrmel into the bathtub with him and swung at both. Myrmel later entered alone, wielded the hammer, struck him and told him to stop talking if he wanted the assaults to end.

Detectives documented 14 stapled wounds to the victim’s head, stitches in his hand, and deep lacerations consistent with the hammer and belt.

During his police interview, Curtis rambled incoherently. Authorities say it became clear during the interview that Curtis thought the victim had died. When authorities informed Curtis that the victim was not dead, he said the victim was supposed to die and that the victim “took responsibility and sacrificed his life.” Myrmel refused to speak with officers.

Curtis is charged in Anoka County with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, kidnapping, and second-degree assault. He remains in custody. He was set to make an initial court appearance on Thursday and faces up to 40 years in prison on the kidnapping charge.

Myrmel is currently hospitalized for her injuries and was charged with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. She was charged via summons and is expected to make an initial court appearance next month. She faces up to seven years in prison.

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