Bemidji Man Charged After Knife Threat at Shelter
Bemidji (trfnews.i234.me) — Christopher Kenneth Gundel faces a felony assault charge after an alleged knife incident at a Bemidji shelter.
Prosecutors allege Gundel threatened a shelter employee with a knife on August 21, 2026.
The incident happened at the New Day Center Shelter on 15th Street Northwest.
Gundel is charged with felony second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
Shelter Employee Reports Assault
Police responded to the shelter around 9:54 a.m., according to the criminal complaint.
The alleged assault had happened about 15 minutes earlier.
An employee, identified as D.E., told investigators that Gundel tried to enter the shelter.
D.E. said Gundel had previously been barred from the property because of earlier behavioral problems.
The employee told Gundel that he was not allowed inside.
Gundel initially began walking away, according to the complaint.
Prosecutors allege he then returned and charged toward the entrance.
Gundel allegedly tried to punch D.E. near the doorway.
Knife Allegedly Pulled During Confrontation
The complaint says Gundel then pulled a knife from his pocket.
He allegedly lunged toward D.E. and made a stabbing motion.
D.E. avoided being stabbed by backing into the shelter doorway, according to prosecutors.
The confrontation was recorded by surveillance cameras at the shelter.
No physical injury to D.E. is described in the criminal complaint.
Gundel Located Nearby
Police later found Gundel walking near 10th Street Northwest and America Avenue Northwest.
Investigators reported finding a knife in Gundel’s pants pocket.
The knife appeared consistent with the weapon shown in the surveillance footage.
Gundel later admitted taking a knife from his pocket during the confrontation, according to the complaint.
He also admitted threatening D.E. with the knife, prosecutors allege.
Gundel claimed D.E. had also displayed a knife during the incident.
Investigators disputed that account in the complaint.
Felony Assault Charge Filed
Gundel is charged under Minnesota Statute 609.222.
The law covers assault involving a dangerous weapon.
The charge carries up to seven years in prison.
It also carries a possible fine of up to $14,000.
The case is State of Minnesota v. Christopher Kenneth Gundel.
The court file number is 04-CR-26-2005 in Minnesota’s Ninth Judicial District.
Public case information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.
The complaint contains allegations and does not establish Gundel’s guilt.
Gundel is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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