Grand Marais: Co-op Stabbing Leads to Attempted Murder

Grand Marais, Cook County (trfnews.i234.me)

A Cook County Co-op employee is facing major felony charges after a stabbing inside the store.

Donovan Michael Vondall, 32, of Grand Portage, is charged with attempted second-degree murder.

He also faces first-degree assault and second-degree assault charges, according to court documents.

What the complaint says happened

Court records say the attack happened Saturday afternoon, Dec. 27, at the co-op in Grand Marais.

The victim was identified as Thomas Wayne Peterson of St. Paul.

Peterson told investigators the attack was unprovoked, the complaint says.

Peterson said he noticed Vondall looked upset and was sweating.

Peterson said the suspect was watching him just before the attack.

Peterson said he felt a sharp hit near his jaw.

He then saw a knife in the suspect’s hand, the complaint says.

Peterson said he ran toward the front of the store for help.

The complaint says Vondall chased him through the store.

Injuries and emergency response

A deputy arrived at about 3:48 p.m., court records say.

Peterson was on the floor with heavy bleeding, the complaint says.

A bystander pressed bandages to his neck, records say.

Peterson was taken to North Shore Health for emergency care.

An investigator later interviewed him at the hospital, records say.

The complaint says Peterson had trouble speaking.

Records say he suffered nerve damage on the right side of his face.

Arrest and evidence

Authorities later got a call saying Vondall was at home and waiting.

Court records say he was unarmed when officers arrived.

He was arrested without incident, the complaint says.

At the home, authorities found a black fold-out knife, records say.

The complaint says the knife had a serrated edge.

Vondall confirmed the knife was his, according to the filing.

Statements and background noted in court records

The complaint says Vondall told investigators he chased Peterson to kill him.

The complaint also notes past civil commitments in 2012 and 2013.

A family member told authorities Vondall has schizophrenia, records say.

The complaint says he was not taking medication at the time.

Vondall also told investigators he drank alcohol before the incident, the complaint says.

He said he felt triggered by staring, according to the filing.

Store closure and reopening

The co-op stayed closed after the incident, according to its website.

The co-op said it planned to reopen Tuesday, Dec. 30, at 12 p.m.

Charge definitions

Attempted murder is charged under Minnesota’s attempt law and murder statutes.

The assault counts are listed under Minnesota’s first- and second-degree assault laws.