Bemidji Man Charged After Apartment Brawl

BEMIDJI (trfnews.i234.me) — A Bemidji man faces three charges after a large apartment fight injured several people.

Eli Benaise, 35, is charged in Beltrami County District Court. The charges include felony third-degree assault.

He also faces third-degree riot and misdemeanor fifth-degree assault charges.

The charges stem from a May 17 incident at the Conifer Apartments in Bemidji.

Police Respond to Reported Fight

According to the criminal complaint, officers responded around 9 p.m. after receiving a report of yelling.

Police found a woman with blood on her face and arms. She also had a bleeding cut on her lip.

The woman identified Benaise as the person who allegedly assaulted her.

Two witnesses told investigators they saw Benaise strike the woman, according to the complaint.

Officers later approached an apartment where Benaise was believed to be staying.

They reported seeing fresh blood near the door and on the handle.

Police said they heard movement inside. Benaise was arrested after what authorities described as a lengthy standoff.

Eli Benaise.

Investigators reviewed building surveillance and doorbell video from the apartment complex.

The complaint says the footage showed several people fighting outside.

Benaise first appeared to separate two women, according to prosecutors.

However, he later allegedly punched and kicked people who were involved in the fight.

The complaint alleges Benaise struck one person while she was on the ground.

He also allegedly kicked near her head and struck another woman several times.

Doorbell video later showed Benaise punching two other people, the complaint states.

At the jail, Benaise admitted throwing punches during the fight, according to court records.

He reportedly told investigators he was defending his pregnant girlfriend.

Police photographed bruises, swelling, cuts and other injuries after the fight.

One person reported suffering a broken nose. Another had bruising and cuts.

Photos also showed Benaise with a bloody knuckle, according to the complaint.

Third-degree assault carries a possible five-year prison sentence and a $10,000 fine.

Readers can review Minnesota assault laws through the Minnesota Revisor of Statutes.

Information about Minnesota court cases is available through the Minnesota Judicial Branch.

Benaise is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.