Alleged Minnehaha Creek Stabber Has Lengthy Criminal History

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The man police have fingered in connection with Tuesday night's assault on two police officers in Lynnhurst has a lengthy criminal history, according to court records.

The 38-year old Minneapolis man, who has not yet been formally charged, is suspected of allegedly to the intersection of West Minnehaha Parkway and Bryant Avenue South and of in the upper torso with a knife, according to the Minneapolis Police Department.

The man admitted to authorities that he wanted to harm the officers, according to a media release dispatched by the police department on Wednesday.

Recently, and perhaps significantly, the suspect spent approximately one month in Hennepin County Jail as the result of a first-degree damage to property charge, a felony. His case was dismissed and he was released on Aug. 16, following his court appearance.

The man's criminal history stretches back to 1996, when he was charged with tampering with a motor vehicle. Since then, he has been convicted of driving a motor vehicle without the owner’s consent, a felony, and of domestic assault, a gross misdemeanor. He has also been convicted of several misdemeanors and has faced charges in multiple counties in Minnesota, including Hennepin, Dakota, Washington and Nobles.

Currently, the man is the police department’s sole suspect. Authorities believe the alleged stabbing was an isolated incident.

According to the police, two officers, one male and one female, were dispatched to the intersection at 11:20 p.m. Tuesday evening, after receiving a call from a man who claimed to have been robbed at knifepoint by multiple suspects.

Upon arriving at the scene at 11:45 p.m., the officers approached the suspect, who they presumed to be the victim. Johnson allegedly attempted to stab the male officer in the chest with a knife, but the officer’s body armor protected him from any injury. Johnson then allegedly stabbed the female officer in the upper back. The male officer then shot the suspect, disabling him.

Public information officer Sgt. William Palmer said at a press briefing Wednesday afternoon that the male officer could have easily been killed by the first knife strike.

The suspect is currently under guard at the Hennepin County Medical Center. He will be booked at Hennepin County Jail for second-degree assault as soon as it is medically possible.