Minneapolis man allegedly attacked apartment manager with axe after lease was not renewed

Hennepin County prosecutors have charged 59-year-old Ying Vang Jr. with attempted premeditated murder and first-degree assault for allegedly attacking the manager of his apartment.

According to court documents, Vang had an axe and a sledgehammer with him to break down the office door. The office was occupied at the time by the manager, who had informed Vang that his lease would not be renewed.

Vang lived in an apartment complex in the 4400 block of Snelling Avenue in south Minneapolis.

According to court documents, investigators allege that Vang “pushed the victim against the wall and struck him in the face and neck with the axe” before other residents came to the manager’s aid and arrested the suspect.

“That makes me feel good. They took him outside, stopped the attack and sat on him until the police came. I’m proud of these guys. We need people like them,” said roommate Michael, who only wanted to give his first name.

According to the police report of the incident, the female victim’s wound extended from below her eye to the bottom of her neck and the axe also severed an artery in her neck.

“We are grateful that our team member is recovering from this frightening incident, and we are incredibly grateful to our tenants for immediately intervening and subduing the attacker until police arrived and arrested him. We are in the process of personally thanking each of them,” wrote a spokesperson for Ecumen, the complex’s operator.

At last check, Vang was being held in the Hennepin County Jail.

The next court hearing is scheduled for the end of this month.