Crime & Safety

SW Minneapolis Man 'Repeatedly Punched' Woman

Police say Terrell Williams held a woman in a headlock in downtown Minneapolis and repeatedly punched her in the head and face.

A Southwest Minneapolis man has been charged with repeatedly punching a woman in the head in downtown Minneapolis earlier this month.

Terrell Deandre Williams, 21, who lives in the 5800 block of Washburn Avenue South in the Armatage neighborhood, is charged with felony domestic assault, which carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

According to the criminal complaint, signed by Minneapolis Police Sgt. Christopher Nichols, police were on patrol in downtown Minneapolis about 11 p.m. July 8 when they saw Williams holding a woman in a headlock inside a bus shelter, repeatedly punching her.

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When one of the officers got out of his unmarked car and approached the shelter, Williams let go of the woman and tried to walk away. Police spoke to the victim, who said she and her sister were downtown when Williams approached and began to argue with her.

The argument escalated, and Williams pushed the victim and punched her several times in the head and face, the woman told police. She said he also put his hands around her neck and squeezed, but she didn’t lose consciousness.

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Williams initially identified himself to police using his brother's name, according to the complaint. Police learned that he was being sought in Dakota County on a warrant charging him with a probation violation.

Williams admitted to police that he had punched the victim, but claimed that he did it after she scratched him, according to the complaint. Officers found no scratch marks anywhere on Williams.

Williams’ criminal record includes three domestic violence-related convictions: for domestic assault  and stalking in Dakota County in 2011 and for domestic assault in Hennepin County in 2010.

Williams remains in the Hennepin County Jail on a $30,000 bond. He is also being held on outstanding warrants in Minneapolis and Dakota County. An omnibus hearing in his case is scheduled Aug. 7 in Hennepin County District Court.


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