International Falls: Ridgeway Jr. Charged After Officer Hit

International Falls, Minnesota (trfnews.i234.me) — Donald Dean Ridgeway Jr. faces charges after a domestic call in town.

Police say the call came in at 1:20 p.m. on February 2. Officers went to a home in International Falls.

Threats heard at the door

According to the complaint, officers knocked and listened. They heard a man yelling inside the home.

The complaint says he yelled, “I’m going to kill you”. Police say he also yelled, “I am going to kill you all”.

Police say Ridgeway answered the door soon after. Officers said he was sweating and yelling.

Police say he slammed the door shut. They said he paced in the entryway.

Fight on the stairs

An investigator arrived and tried to talk with him. Police say Ridgeway walked away and went upstairs.

An officer followed him up the stairs, the complaint says. Police say Ridgeway turned and rushed at the officer.

Police say Ridgeway swung a closed fist. The punch hit the right side of the officer’s face.

The complaint says both fell back down the stairs. Other officers moved in to help.

Police ordered Ridgeway to stop fighting. The complaint says he kept fighting.

Police say he yelled for officers to kill him. He was taken into custody soon after.

Other claims and charges

A family member later reported being pushed down by Ridgeway. That claim is also part of the case.

Prosecutors charged him with felony threats of violence. They also charged fourth-degree assault of a peace officer.

He also faces two misdemeanor domestic assault counts. The case is filed in Koochiching County.

All charges are allegations. Ridgeway is presumed innocent unless convicted.

Where to find public information

Department contact details are listed on the International Falls Police Department site.

Public case records may be available through Minnesota Court Records Online (MCRO).

Minnesota’s threats law is in Minn. Stat. § 609.713.

Minnesota’s fourth-degree assault law is in Minn. Stat. § 609.2231.

Minnesota’s domestic assault law is in Minn. Stat. § 609.2242.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.