ST. PAUL, Minn. — A man accused of violently attacking another man with a tire iron in St. Paul is now facing homicide charges following the victim’s death several weeks after the initial assault, authorities confirmed Thursday.
The incident, which originally occurred last month, involved a brutal confrontation during which the suspect allegedly struck the victim multiple times with a tire iron during an altercation. The victim was rushed to a nearby hospital with serious injuries and had remained under intensive medical care since the attack.
Witness report:
A 911 caller told police that they saw a man run up to the victim “with what appeared to be a cane” and struck the victim in the head, knocking him to the ground before running into a nearby garage.
The suspect was then seen coming back out of the garage and trying to help the victim, according to the 911 caller.
Police then determined that the suspect fit Moua’s description.
Officers then searched the garage and found a tire iron with dried blood on it inside a plastic bag. Family members spoke to police and told them the tire iron belonged to Moua and that it was usually kept in a silver van.
Moua was then arrested and reportedly declined a custodial interview.
Tragically, officials announced that the victim succumbed to his injuries earlier this week, prompting prosecutors to elevate the charges against the alleged assailant from aggravated assault to homicide.
Authorities have not yet released the names of the individuals involved, pending official notification of the victim’s family.
St. Paul police say they responded to the 600 block of Hyacinth Avenue in St. Paul just before noon on July 13 for a report of a man who hit another man “with some sort of cane”, according to the criminal complaint.
The victim, a 54-year-old man, was found by police unconscious on the ground with an exposed head injury. Officers reported that the man was bleeding profusely and bone could be seen.
Moua was reportedly seen standing over the victim while another man put pressure on the victim’s injury.
The victim was taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a major brain injury. He then died on Aug. 3, according to court documents. A preliminary examination by the Ramsey County Medical Examiner’s Office on Aug. 4 determined a cranial brain injury was the victim’s cause of death.
According to investigators, the two men were reportedly known to each other, and the attack is believed to have stemmed from a personal dispute. Further details surrounding the motive remain under investigation.
The suspect was initially taken into custody shortly after the incident and is now being held on upgraded charges. His first court appearance on the new homicide charge is expected in the coming days.
Police are continuing their investigation and are urging anyone who may have witnessed the altercation or has information relevant to the case to contact St. Paul authorities.