A 24-year-old man was in critical condition after being stabbed in downtown Brainerd Friday night.
Brainerd Police officers were dispatched about 10:45 p.m. Friday to investigate a report of man in the area of the 700 block of Laurel Street who had been stabbed. Officers located the injured Brainerd man outside the Iron Rail Saloon with a serious single puncture wound to the abdomen and significant bleeding. Officers later learned the man was stabbed by a male suspect while they were inside the bar.
The victim was subsequently transported to a Twin Cities area hospital where he was in critical condition. The exact extent of his internal injuries is not known at this time, but initial reports are that he will recover, Brainerd Police Chief Corky McQuiston reported in a news release Saturday, June 11.
Witnesses reported seeing the suspect run east from the area. Responding officers located the suspect in a wooded area on the south side of the 1000 block of Laurel Street. He was identified as 44-year-old Brainerd man. The suspect was arrested and taken into custody without incident. He is currently in the Crow Wing County Jail on charges of first- and second-degree assault, while this matter is under review by the Crow Wing County Attorney's Office.
Police are still investigating what led up to the assault and do not believe the suspect and victim knew each other prior to this incident. Anyone with information about this incident is asked to contact the Brainerd Police Department at 218-829-2805. The Baxter and Breezy Point police departments along with the Crow Wing County Sheriff's Department assisted in this incident.
