East Grand Forks Men Charged After Pistol-Whipping

East Grand Forks (trfnews.i234.me) — Two men face felony charges after an alleged handgun assault at an apartment building.

Mohamed Abdirisak Sugule, 37, and Munier Abdiaziz Abokar, 22, were charged September 10 in Polk County District Court.

The men are uncle and nephew, according to the criminal complaint.

Each man faces three felony assault charges.

Both were being held at the Northwest Regional Corrections Center when the charges were filed.

Police Respond to Early Morning Assault

East Grand Forks police responded around 1:25 a.m. September 8 to an apartment building on 8th Avenue Northwest.

A caller reported that a man had been assaulted and struck with a handgun.

The victim said he had been staying in an apartment with Abokar.

He said the men argued after drinking with two women earlier that night.

The complaint says the dispute involved a woman.

The victim said Abokar left the apartment and later returned with his uncle, Sugule.

He told police that Abokar instructed Sugule to assault him.

Information about local law enforcement is available through the East Grand Forks Police Department.

Victim Reports Repeated Handgun Strikes

The victim said Sugule struck him seven or eight times with a black 9mm handgun.

He also reported that Sugule racked the handgun several times during the encounter.

The alleged assault happened inside and outside the apartment, according to the complaint.

The victim suffered a head wound that required stitches.

Police also documented facial cuts, swelling and a broken cheekbone.

He received hospital treatment and later needed additional care after having trouble speaking.

Men Deny Gun Assault

Abokar told police he had asked the victim to leave the apartment.

He said Sugule came to help remove the man from the residence.

Abokar denied that Sugule assaulted the victim or displayed a handgun.

Sugule gave investigators a similar account.

He admitted having a handgun in his pocket but denied striking the victim with it.

Police Say Loaded Gun Was Recovered

Police later found Sugule outside the apartment building.

The complaint says officers found a loaded 9mm handgun in his waistband.

Investigators also reported finding blood in several locations and ammunition matching the handgun.

Surveillance video showed Sugule moving between apartments, according to the complaint.

Investigators said later footage showed him holding a gun in a hallway.

Felony Charges Filed

Both men face second-degree assault involving a dangerous weapon and substantial bodily harm.

They also face second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.

A third charge alleges third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm.

Prosecutors filed notice that they intend to seek an aggravated sentence.

The filing cites the alleged use of a firearm.

Custody information is available through the Northwest Regional Corrections Center.

Public court information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online.

The charges are allegations. Sugule and Abokar are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

I’m Adrian Cole reporting for TRF News.