Additional Charges Expected in Fatal Nicollet Mall Stabbing
A man has been charged with first-degree assault after a stabbing near Nicollet Mall in Minneapolis on Dec. 23.
Authorities allege Joseph Eugene Davis, 58, inflicted life-threatening injuries on a man during an altercation outside a bus shelter.
Minneapolis police responded to reports of a stabbing at 5th Street South and Nicollet Mall around 11:52 p.m. Officers found the victim unresponsive with a stab wound to his neck. Witnesses reported seeing the victim collapse next to a Metro Transit bus. Davis fled the scene on an e-bike but was later arrested near Colfax Avenue South and Lake Street West. A knife was recovered from his possession.
Davis told investigators he intervened after the victim aggressively approached a woman at the bus stop. He said he tried to scare the victim away with a knife but claimed the victim struck him in the head with a metal object and continued to approach. Davis stated he stabbed the victim when he attempted to strike again.
Surveillance footage showed Davis and the victim entering the bus shelter. Davis appeared to pull an object from his right hip before approaching the victim and an unknown individual. Davis then swung at the victim, who exited the shelter as Davis pursued him. The video captured Davis continuing to swing the object before moving out of view. Moments later, the victim stumbled back into camera view and collapsed.
The victim suffered a stab wound to the carotid artery and Minneapolis Police say the man died Friday evening.
If convicted on first-degree assault, Davis faces up to 20 years in prison, however upgraded charges are expected in the coming days.
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