Charges dropped against man in hatchet attack – Detroit Lakes Tribune

DETROIT LAKES – Charges of second-degree aggravated assault and fifth-degree aggravated assault have been dropped – at least for now – against Tyrel Traverse Ambuehl, 38, of Mahnomen, who was accused of attacking another man with an axe tied to his arm.

According to court documents, White Earth police responded to a residence in rural Becker County at approximately 1:48 a.m. on October 15, 2023, for a report of a robbery. A man there said Ambuehl showed up at approximately 1:30 a.m. and drove into a truck and canoe belonging to the man.

Ambuehl told the man he was there to “recover his property” and claimed the man had stolen it from him. Ambuehl then attacked the man with a black axe that appeared to be taped to his arm.

The man described Ambuehl being struck with the axe at least eight times – in the arms, ribs, back and head. The man said Ambuehl eventually got back into his SUV and left the property, taking the axe with him.

An officer photographed the man's injuries, and another officer spoke with a man who witnessed the attack. The witness's description of the attack matched the victim's.

Ambuehl, who was on probation at the time, was found a few days later and taken into custody by the prison authorities.

He has already been convicted twice for violating a protection order.

On June 24, the Becker County District Attorney's Office exercised its discretion and dropped the charges.

“The State believes that another pending case (domestic assault with a metal baseball bat) must be resolved first before this case is pursued,” court records state. “The State reserves the right to re-file this charge at any time within the applicable statute of limitations.”

A Detroit Lakes man has been convicted for his role in a drive-by shooting involving pellet guns and shotguns that targeted two vehicles in Peoples Park in Detroit Lakes on July 10, 2023.

Christian James Anderson, 19, of Detroit Lakes, was convicted of second-degree riot with a dangerous weapon and third-degree criminal damage.

According to court records, he was one of four young men charged in connection with the incident.

Police called to the park found a 1997 Dodge Ram with a shot-out driver's window and a 2020 Chevrolet Malibu with a shot-out rear driver's window and numerous dents in various locations. The damage suggested that numerous shotgun pellets had been fired at the vehicles and people in the area.

A man there said he saw a gun out the window of the Silverado, and another person aimed a fully automatic air rifle and started “shooting” out the window.

One witness said he believed the shooters were intentionally targeting him, and another said the Silverado drove by at least once, circled around, and the occupants fired at the group on the second pass.

Another witness saw the vehicle pull up and the occupants roll down the front and rear windows and “shoot and shoot all around.” She was convinced that the occupants were aiming at people when they shot.

Anderson drove the Silverado.

On June 26, District Judge Michael D. Fritz Judge issued a stay of trial on both counts. Upon successful completion of probation, the charges will be dismissed.

Anderson was sentenced to 120 days in the Becker County Jail, 90 days of which were to be served for five years, and the remaining 30 days he was required to spend at home under electronic monitoring at his own expense.

Four days in custody were credited.

He was fined $550, ordered to pay $5,826 in restitution, and placed on probation for five years.