Mohamed Abdirisak Sugule, 37, and Munier Abdiaziz Abokar, 22, were charged September 10 in Polk County District Court.<\/p>\n
The men are uncle and nephew, according to the criminal complaint.<\/p>\n
Each man faces three felony assault charges.<\/p>\n
Both were being held at the Northwest Regional Corrections Center when the charges were filed.<\/p>\n
Police Respond to Early Morning Assault<\/h2>\n
East Grand Forks police responded around 1:25 a.m. September 8 to an apartment building on 8th Avenue Northwest.<\/p>\n
A caller reported that a man had been assaulted and struck with a handgun.<\/p>\n
The victim said he had been staying in an apartment with Abokar.<\/p>\n
He said the men argued after drinking with two women earlier that night.<\/p>\n
The complaint says the dispute involved a woman.<\/p>\n
The victim said Abokar left the apartment and later returned with his uncle, Sugule.<\/p>\n
He told police that Abokar instructed Sugule to assault him.<\/p>\n
Information about local law enforcement is available through the East Grand Forks Police Department<\/a>.<\/p>\n The victim said Sugule struck him seven or eight times with a black 9mm handgun.<\/p>\n He also reported that Sugule racked the handgun several times during the encounter.<\/p>\n The alleged assault happened inside and outside the apartment, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n The victim suffered a head wound that required stitches.<\/p>\n Police also documented facial cuts, swelling and a broken cheekbone.<\/p>\n He received hospital treatment and later needed additional care after having trouble speaking.<\/p>\n Abokar told police he had asked the victim to leave the apartment.<\/p>\n He said Sugule came to help remove the man from the residence.<\/p>\n Abokar denied that Sugule assaulted the victim or displayed a handgun.<\/p>\n Sugule gave investigators a similar account.<\/p>\n He admitted having a handgun in his pocket but denied striking the victim with it.<\/p>\n Police later found Sugule outside the apartment building.<\/p>\n The complaint says officers found a loaded 9mm handgun in his waistband.<\/p>\n Investigators also reported finding blood in several locations and ammunition matching the handgun.<\/p>\n Surveillance video showed Sugule moving between apartments, according to the complaint.<\/p>\n Investigators said later footage showed him holding a gun in a hallway.<\/p>\n Both men face second-degree assault involving a dangerous weapon and substantial bodily harm.<\/p>\n They also face second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.<\/p>\n A third charge alleges third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm.<\/p>\n Prosecutors filed notice that they intend to seek an aggravated sentence.<\/p>\n The filing cites the alleged use of a firearm.<\/p>\n Custody information is available through the Northwest Regional Corrections Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n Public court information is available through Minnesota Court Records Online<\/a>.<\/p>\n The charges are allegations. Sugule and Abokar are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.<\/p>\nVictim Reports Repeated Handgun Strikes<\/h2>\n
Men Deny Gun Assault<\/h2>\n
Police Say Loaded Gun Was Recovered<\/h2>\n
Felony Charges Filed<\/h2>\n
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