Bemidji Man Charged After Alleged Alley Attack

BEMIDJI, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man faces a felony assault charge after an alleged alley attack near People’s Church.

Derek Thomas Fairbanks-Roy, 42, is charged with enhanced fifth-degree assault based on prior qualifying convictions.

The charge was filed in Beltrami County District Court under case number 04-CR-26-1215.

The complaint says the incident happened around 5:14 p.m. on May 26, 2026.

Witnesses Describe Alley Attack

Officers with the Bemidji Police Department responded to People’s Church after receiving an assault report.

An injured man was found lying in an alley when officers arrived.

The complaint says he had blood near his mouth and a cut near his nose.

Officers also reported swelling on the upper left side of his head.

Witnesses told police that Fairbanks-Roy struck the man without warning, causing him to fall.

The complaint says Fairbanks-Roy left before officers reached the scene.

The injured man appeared confused and could not provide a clear statement.

He told officers he was in severe pain and cried at times.

An ambulance later took him for further medical evaluation.

Police later located Fairbanks-Roy near Paul Bunyan Drive Northwest.

He denied knowing the injured man and denied taking part in the alleged assault.

Police initially released him while they reviewed his criminal history.

Investigators later found several qualifying domestic violence-related convictions within the previous three years.

The complaint lists domestic assault, a no-contact order violation, fourth-degree assault, and interference with a 911 call.

Those convictions allowed prosecutors to seek an enhanced felony charge.

Officers arrested Fairbanks-Roy on May 27 near Park Avenue Northwest.

Fairbanks-Roy is charged under Minnesota Statute 609.224.

The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.

It also carries a possible $10,000 fine, or both prison and a fine.

The allegations remain unproven unless Fairbanks-Roy is convicted in court.

Public documents may be searched through Minnesota Court Records Online.

I’m Chris Harper, reporting for TRF News.