A routine weekend morning at the Equinox Apartments in St. Anthony turned deadly last Saturday when a maintenance worker was fatally stabbed after stepping in to protect his 15-year-old stepson, according to relatives. The victim was identified as 44-year-old John Ramon Tongson, and his stepson was rushed to a hospital with serious injuries. Prosecutors have charged a 31-year-old neighbor, Jonathon Michael Kaupa, with second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder.
Police: Officers Confront Grisly Hallway Killing
In a press release, the St. Anthony Police Department said officers were called to the 2800 block of Silver Lane shortly after 5 a.m. They arrived to find an adult man dead in a third-floor hallway, while a juvenile male was taken to a nearby hospital with serious wounds. The Ramsey County Attorney’s Office charged Kaupa on Monday with one count of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree attempted murder, according to the release. Multiple regional agencies helped at the scene, and investigators say the case remains active.
Criminal Complaint Details Brutal Attack On Teen
The criminal complaint, as reported by Bring Me The News, alleges that Kaupa forced his way into the family’s unit and repeatedly stabbed the teenager before Tongson intervened. The teen told investigators he woke up to the sound of someone sawing at his bedroom door, stepped into the hallway with his stepfather and was then attacked. According to the complaint, he was stabbed around 20 times. Family members say Tongson’s decision to step between his stepson and the attacker gave the boy enough time to retreat and call 911.
Suspect’s Flight Ends In Crash And Foot Chase
According to local reporting, Kaupa left the building after the stabbing and got into a rideshare headed toward his parents’ home in St. Paul. He was later seen driving a vehicle north, and deputies eventually spotted the car in the Duluth area. A traffic stop in the Hinckley area ended in a crash, and officers took Kaupa into custody after a brief foot chase, per MN CRIME. Investigators say they found bandages and clothing in the vehicle, along with a substance that tested positive for amphetamines. Kaupa was booked into the Ramsey County Adult Detention Center and is being held on a $5 million bail order while prosecutors prepare the case.
Rideshare Driver’s Tip Raises Alarm
A rideshare driver who picked up a man matching the suspect’s description near Silverwood Park told police the passenger appeared to have been hiding in a snowbank and apologized that his phone was covered in “fish guts,” a remark that unsettled her enough to circle back and alert law enforcement, according to Law & Crime. Investigators later found a rope tied to a balcony stud at the suspect’s apartment and described the hallway outside the family’s unit as the scene of a violent struggle. The Ramsey County Medical Examiner ruled Tongson’s death a homicide caused by multiple sharp-force injuries.
Family Honors Tongson As Donations Pour In
Relatives and friends launched a GoFundMe campaign to cover funeral and living expenses, calling Tongson a “kind and hardworking man” remembered for his generosity and sense of humor, as reported by Bring Me The News. By last Friday, the fundraiser had collected about $21,000 toward a $30,000 goal. Loved ones thanked neighbors and supporters for stepping up and said they are trying to focus on the teen’s recovery while they grieve.
Felony Charges And Long Prison Time On The Table
Kaupa faces one count of second-degree murder and one count of second-degree attempted murder. If he is convicted, the murder charge carries a maximum sentence of up to 40 years in prison, and the attempted murder charge carries up to 20 years, according to MN CRIME. Prosecutors have not released any suspected motive, and detectives say they are still gathering evidence. The case is proceeding in Ramsey County District Court, and the current detention order keeps Kaupa jailed while hearings move forward.
Investigators Seek Witnesses And Video
The St. Anthony Police Department has asked anyone who was in the area or who may have relevant video or information to contact investigators, according to the department’s release. Multiple agencies assisted in the initial response, and officials say further updates will be shared as the investigation continues. Anyone with tips is urged to reach out to St. Anthony police or Ramsey County authorities.
