Police say a 23-year-old man from Riverhead, New York, turned a routine night at an East Grand Forks motel into a frightening scene, allegedly waving a baseball bat, warning of a “blood bath,” and telling 911 dispatchers he planned to buy a shotgun. He was arrested after the June 26 disturbance at the Plaza Motel and is being held in Polk County as the case moves through court. Motel staff later described being visibly shaken by the encounter.
Charges and police account
According to Valley News Live, court documents identify the suspect as 23-year-old Matthew Dylan Calla of Riverhead, N.Y. The criminal complaint, filed June 29, says Calla called 911 twice on June 26. In the first call, he reportedly said he was afraid of being attacked by bears. In the second, he allegedly demanded a spare key and warned there would be a “blood bath” because “people were stirring the pot.” The complaint also states he told dispatchers he planned to buy a shotgun from Bass Pro Shop.
Behavior after arrest and motel response
The complaint says Calla threatened motel employees with a baseball bat, shoved a door hard enough to damage it, and told the owner’s son he would “club him alongside the head.” After officers took him into custody, the report alleges he mouthed a threatening remark at a female employee and, during transport, yelled, “might as well execute him right now.” Calla has since been trespassed from the Plaza Motel and remains in custody under an order of detention, according to Valley News Live.
Possible penalties under state law
In Minnesota, threats of violence can be charged as a felony, carrying serious potential consequences. As outlined in Minnesota Statutes, a person convicted of making terroristic or violent threats may face up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Those are the provisions Polk County prosecutors will have in mind as they review the case.
What's next
The case is in Polk County District Court and will move through initial hearings where prosecutors decide on formal charges and a judge weighs detention and bail. If Calla contests the complaint, the evidence that emerges in filings and testimony will form the backbone of any trial or plea talks. For motel workers and other small business staff, the incident underscores the kind of unpredictable confrontations they can face and the role local law enforcement plays in stepping into volatile situations.
