Argument over derogatory word allegedly led to assault
Published 8:47 am Tuesday, April 11, 2017
An Albert Lea man who allegedly stabbed another man last weekend during an argument was charged with two felonies Monday in Freeborn County District Court.
Travis Anthony Larsen, 32, is charged with two counts of second-degree assault.
Court documents state Larsen was arrested after law enforcement officers were dispatched at about 5:19 a.m. Saturday to an address on Lynwood Drive. Officers received information that two people were fighting and someone was bleeding from a cut in the neck.
![](https://www.albertleatribune.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/14/2017/04/Larson.Travis.jpg)
Travis Larson
An officer reportedly observed a pool of blood in the carpet near a sofa and a person on the floor in the kitchen. A sergeant performed first aid on the victim, who had sustained a severe, deep laceration to the chin area and was reportedly covered in blood.
Court documents state a group of intoxicated people identified Larsen as the suspect. He was reportedly found under a blanket in a downstairs bedroom.
He allegedly did not immediately follow officer commands to stand up but was helped to his feet and identified with a Minnesota driver’s license. Larsen reportedly had slurred speech and difficulty speaking.
Court documents state Larsen told a sergeant that he thought the victim had called him a derogatory word. The victim denied the claim. After insisting that the victim had called him the name, Larsen allegedly swung the knife, cutting the person’s face.
Court documents state the victim said Larsen allegedly shoved him in the chest and went into the kitchen. Larsen reportedly confronted him about calling him the derogatory word — which he denied — before cutting him in a quick slash move.
Another witness described her recollection of the incident.
According to the witness, she thought Larsen was going to kill the victim.
An approximately foot-long, fully-serrated knife with a black plastic handle with blood on it, allegedly used in the attack, was found on a stovetop in the residence.
Freeborn County District Court Judge Ross Leuning set conditional bail for Larsen at $50,000.
His next court appearance is scheduled for April 20.
Second-degree assault with substantial bodily harm carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $20,000 fine. Second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon carries a maximum sentence of seven years in prison and a $14,000 fine.