Fargo Woman Charged After Alleged Hammer Attack
Fargo, North Dakota (trfnews.i234.me) — A Fargo woman faces an aggravated domestic assault charge after an alleged hammer attack.
Police identified the woman as Jeanine Rico.
Officers responded to a south Fargo apartment on September 19.
They found a man outside the apartment with a severe head injury, according to police records.
Officers detained Rico at the scene.
Witnesses Report Injured Man Leaving Apartment
Witnesses told investigators the injured man stumbled out of the apartment.
They said Rico followed him outside while yelling at him.
Neighbors helped the man sit down and began providing first aid.
They also kept Rico away from him until police arrived.
The man told officers Rico had struck him several times with a hammer.
He was taken to Sanford for medical treatment.
Argument Allegedly Started Over Medical Supplies
Police later interviewed the man at the hospital.
He said he had asked Rico for sterilized water.
The water was needed to clean a breathing tube in his neck, according to the report.
He told police the request led to an argument between them.
The man said Rico pushed him toward the apartment door.
He began falling and grabbed Rico to keep himself from hitting the floor.
According to the report, Rico then went to a utility closet.
Investigators said she retrieved a hammer from the closet.
The man alleged Rico struck his head, back and elbows with the hammer.
Police Document Multiple Injuries
Officers reported seeing a large gash on the man’s scalp.
They also documented injuries to his arms, face and legs.
Police records say other children were inside the home during the incident.
Those children were taken into protective custody by Child Protective Services.
The injured man was also placed into protective custody while at the hospital.
Rico was arrested at the apartment.
She was later booked into the Cass County Jail.
Information about local police services is available from the Fargo Police Department.
North Dakota court records can be searched through the North Dakota Court System.
Custody information is available through the Cass County Jail.
Charges are accusations. Defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
Copyright 2026 TRF News. All rights reserved.
