Elk River man, 33, charged with attempted first degree murder in stabbing of his mother

by Jim Boyle

Editor

Anthony James Weidner, a 33-year-old Elk River man, was charged with attempted murder in the first degree (premeditated) on April 3 in Sherburne County 10th District Court.

He was also charged with two lesser offenses, including second degree attempted murder (with intent but not premeditated) and assault in the second degree with a dangerous weapon.

Elk River Police were dispatched at approximately 2:30 p.m. on April 1 to 11696 197th Avenue NW in Elk River on a report of an assault with a knife.

The caller and victim stated her son had just stabbed her, according to the criminal complaint.

An officer arrived at the residence a short time later and made contact with the victim, who was covered in blood and a large amount of blood was on the floor. Two knives were observed on the kitchen floor as well as two large cuts to the victim’s neck that appeared to be from a knife.

With Weidner’s whereabouts unknown, the officer assisted the victim outside the residence for her safety, according to the complaint. While attending to the victim, officers observed additional injuries or open wounds to the victim’s face, forehead and wrist.

She reported her son had taken a black 2019 Dodge Ram from the scene that belonged to her and her husband, taken without permission. The victim was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center via Life Link III for treatment of her injuries after being transferred to their care by Elk River Ambulance, according to an Elk River Police Department incident complaint report.

Elk River Police Capt. Joe Gacke told the Star News on April 3 the victim is in stable condition and expected to be released from the hospital at some point.

An Elk River Police Department detective spoke with the victim’s husband and the defendant’s father. He stated the defendant’s relationship with the victim had been tumultuous and the victim had moved out of the residence into another residence with another son, the complaint said. When the son she was living with sold the residence, the victim and that son moved back into the residence with the defendant and the father.

He stated this was the first day the victim and the defendant had been alone together and did not know what set him off, according to the criminal complaint.

At approximately 11:40 p.m., the defendant was located in the stolen truck by the Crow Wing County Sheriff’s Office at the Brainerd Welcome Center. The defendant was taken into custody and transported to the Sherburne County Jail.

In a post-Miranda statement, the defendant told Elk River Police he assaulted his mother in the kitchen and provided a description of the events that took place that are recounted in the criminal complaint. ERPD is seeking attempted first-degree murder based on their investigation and his statements.