Man Charged for Allegedly Beating 12-year-old Brother With Hammer

May 21

A 21-year-old Brooklyn Park man is accused of brutally assaulting his younger brother with a hammer last week.

The 12-year-old victim was left unconscious and is now fighting for his life, according to charges filed this week in Hennepin County.

Faysal Omar Hersi is charged with one count of first-degree assault causing great bodily harm in connection to the Friday, May 16, incident at a home in Brooklyn Park.

Police responded to a report of a head injury and found the boy on the ground in his bedroom, bleeding heavily. Officers noted extensive trauma, and paramedics believed brain matter was visible in the wound.

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The boy’s sister told officers she had left the house for about 30 minutes to get food, leaving the victim and Hersi at home. When she returned, she said most of the doors were locked. After getting inside, she found her brother severely injured. She said the boy indicated Hersi had struck him, the court documents said.

Officers searched the home and discovered blood spatter on the bedroom walls, with a hammer covered in blood hidden in a recycling bin in the garage.

The sister and other family members told police that Hersi had ongoing issues with his younger brother and that there had been arguments and fights between them in the past, the documents said.

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Police attempted to locate Hersi throughout the day. Although he reportedly communicated with family, he refused to share his location. Late that night, he turned himself in at the Brooklyn Park police station.

As of the morning of Monday, May 19, the victim remained unconscious and intubated in the hospital. Doctors said brain damage is likely but noted they do not yet know the extent of the damage.

Hersi is being held in the Hennepin County Jail. Bail was set at $500,000. Court-ordered conditions prohibit him from having contact with the victim or any witnesses. If convicted, Hersi faces up to 20 years in prison and a $30,000 fine.

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