Hammer Control

[Big Dave2]

We need more hammer control laws!

Quote:

Justin Cardinal allegedly used hammer to assault housemate in Columbus

Anoka County authorities have arrested Justin Cardinal, a 33-year-old Forest Lake resident, in connection with the assault of 25-year-old Forest Lake resident Whitney Fansler.

According to information released by county authorities, deputies responded earlier today to the 7200 block of Camp Three Road in Columbus on report of an assault.

"A witness reported stopping for a vehicle that was observed in the ditch of the road," a statement released by the county says. "The witness reported that the male occupant of the vehicle had assaulted a female occupant of the vehicle with a hammer and that the female was covered in a large amount of blood. The male suspect then fled on foot and was briefly followed by the witness."

A short time later, Anoka County authorities followed up with another release. Here it is in its entirety:

The victim was not a close acquaintance of the suspect and he and she are not in any type of relationship. The victim resided in a home where the suspect had been a renter. The victim and suspect did not reside in the same part of the home. The victim remains hospitalized with multiple wounds to her head, face and hands. The suspect was evaluated for frostbite and exposure at a local hospital where he was cleared and released. The suspect remains in custody at the Anoka County Jail. The suspects booking photo will be available on the Anoka County Sheriff's Office web site under the “Inmate Locator” section. The case will be reviewed by the Anoka County Attorney's Office who will decide if and what criminal charges are appropriate.

Cardinal hasn't yet been charged. Commander Paul Sommer tells Fox 9 the assault was the result of a complicated landlord/tenant dispute.

:::: UPDATE ::::

From Columbus, Fox 9's Leah Beno reports that Fansler and Cardinal lived in a Forest Lake home that is being cared for by Jim Cooper. Fansler is dating Cooper's stepson, and Cooper recently decided to kick Cooper out. Cooper wasn't happy about that, and this morning, Cardinal and Cooper got into an argument that culminated with Cardinal taking a hammer to Cooper's face. (Cooper's resulting black eye is visible in the video at the top of this page.)

In an attempt to deescalate the situation, Whitney offered to drive Cardinal and his girlfriend to wherever they had to get them away from the area.

A short time later, the car the three were in ended up in the ditch in Columbus. An argument ensued. An area resident came out to see what was going on and saw Cardinal hitting Fansler in the head with some sort of hammer or pickaxe. That person called 911 while Cardinal took off into the woods, Beno reports.

Three hours later, Cardinal was arrested. His feet and hands blistered from frostbite, he was taken to the hospital before being transported to Anoka County Jail.

Fansler is in stable/fair condition, Beno reports. Her injuries aren't considered to be life-threatening.

[PurpleFloyd]

Weapons of mass construction.

[Slabasaurus]

[pushbutton]

Anyone back here besides me have hammer pants? Pegging Lmit for Zubbas.