Two Minneapolis Residents Charged After Alleged Hammer Assault, Hostage Incident in Fridley Hotel

Two Minneapolis Residents Charged After Alleged Hammer Assault, Hostage Incident in Fridley Hotel

Fridley, Minn. — Two people from Minneapolis now face felony charges after authorities say they assaulted a man with a hammer and held him captive in a Fridley hotel room, eventually requiring a SWAT team to force entry.

Incident and 911 calls

The situation began on Sept. 30 at the LivInn Hotel on Central Avenue after a distress text was sent to 911 reporting someone in danger in one of the hotel rooms.

Responding officers located Ricardo Marlon Curtis Jr. (39) and Kristine Michael Myrmel (38) inside the room. Both denied any issue, and the officers left after the pair declined assistance. Myrmel, however, appeared to have bruising on her face.

About 30 minutes later, another 911 communication came in — this time from the victim, who reported he was being held in the bathroom. He reportedly sent dispatchers photos and video showing himself badly injured, bleeding, and claiming he had been struck with a hammer and was “fading” from blood loss.

When police returned, Curtis allegedly blocked entry. SWAT negotiators attempted to communicate, but the victim’s phone died mid-negotiation. Authorities then forced entry and found the victim naked, severely injured, and confined in the bathroom. Both suspects were arrested at the scene.

Allegations from the victim and investigators

The victim told detectives he had met the pair earlier that day. Curtis allegedly introduced himself as “Malice” and offered to sell drugs. Once in the room, Curtis is accused of striking the victim with a stick, then punching him. After a temporary lull, the violence resumed — this time with the victim’s own hammer, taken from his backpack. He alleged Curtis struck him as many as 15 times with the hammer, forced him to shower to remove blood, and resumed the assault using additional weapons including a belt and biting.

At one point, the complaint states, Curtis shoved Myrmel into the bathtub with the victim and attempted to strike them both. Later, Myrmel allegedly wielded the hammer herself, telling the victim to stop talking if he wanted the violence to cease.

Police documented 14 stapled wounds to the victim’s head, stitches in his hand, and deep lacerations consistent with blows from a hammer and belt.

During his interview, Curtis reportedly made erratic statements, claiming he believed the victim to be dead and that the victim had “sacrificed his life,” even after being told the man was alive. Myrmel declined to speak with investigators.

Charges and status

Curtis has been charged in Anoka County with attempted second-degree murder, first-degree assault, kidnapping, and second-degree assault. He remains in custody and faces up to 40 years in prison on the kidnapping charge alone.

Myrmel, who was hospitalized for injuries, was charged via summons with second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. She is expected to make an initial court appearance next month and faces up to seven years in prison.

MinneapoliMedia