BEMIDJI, Minn. (trfnews.i234.me) — A 33-year-old Bemidji woman faces a felony assault charge following an alleged confrontation with her sister.
Labria Leigh Thomas has been charged in Beltrami County District Court with third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm.
According to court documents, Thomas allegedly struck her sister with a frying pan during an October 27, 2026, dispute.
The alleged assault reportedly left the woman with a broken finger.
Police Respond to Bemidji Apartment
According to the criminal complaint, Bemidji police responded to an apartment on 30th Street NW around 5:24 p.m.
A caller reported a fight and said a woman inside the apartment had requested police assistance.
When officers arrived, they found the alleged victim outside the residence.
The woman was holding her injured left hand and appeared to be experiencing pain.
Authorities observed swelling and bleeding around her left middle finger.
The woman identified Thomas, her sister, as the person involved in the confrontation.
Argument Allegedly Turns Violent
According to court records, Thomas arrived at the apartment and began arguing with her sister and several people present.
The confrontation allegedly began after Thomas saw a male acquaintance inside the residence.
The complaint states Thomas became upset and began throwing objects.
She also allegedly pushed her mother, causing her to fall.
During the confrontation, the victim reported suffering a broken finger.
A witness told police she heard screaming and a disturbance coming from the apartment.
When she approached, she reportedly saw Thomas throwing an object across the room.
The witness also observed a man restraining Thomas before pushing her outside through a rear door.
Thomas allegedly kicked the door and banged on a window while demanding her purse.
However, the witness did not personally observe the alleged assault against Thomas’s sister.
Victim Reports Being Struck With Frying Pan
Police transported the injured woman to Sanford’s emergency department for medical attention.
Later that evening, investigators contacted her again about the incident.
According to the complaint, she then stated Thomas had struck her with a frying pan.
The woman reported that the blow caused her finger injury.
Investigators subsequently located Thomas at her Bemidji residence.
Thomas acknowledged visiting her sister’s apartment but provided a different account of the confrontation.
She reportedly believed her sister was involved with her boyfriend.
Thomas told investigators her sister grabbed a frying pan and appeared ready to strike her.
Thomas said she took the pan away but denied hitting or injuring her sister.
Police arrested Thomas following the investigation.
Previous Domestic Assault Case Pending
Court records indicate Thomas also faces a separate pending misdemeanor domestic assault charge involving the same alleged victim.
That earlier charge stems from an alleged May 3, 2026, incident.
On August 5, Thomas was released in that case under conditions requiring her to remain law-abiding.
The earlier domestic assault charge remained pending when the October incident was documented.
Felony Charge Carries Possible Five-Year Sentence
Thomas now faces one felony count of third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm under Minnesota Statute 609.223.1.
If convicted, she could face up to five years in prison, a $10,000 fine, or both.
The charge was filed in Beltrami County District Court under case number 04-CR-26-2725.
The allegations have not been proven in court, and Thomas is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Additional information about Minnesota’s third-degree assault law is available through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.
Public court information can also be accessed through Minnesota Court Records Online.
I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.
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