Minnetonka Man Allegedly Tried to Stab Fellow American Legion Patron

A Minnetonka man is facing charges of second degree assault after allegedly attempting to stab a fellow patron of the St. Louis Park American Legion with a switchblade.

Thomas Duane Goeman, 63, had reportedly been drinking at the establishment on Mar. 27, when he "tried to stab [a man] for no reason." Officers observed a red mark on the victim's neck, which he claimed was from Goeman grabbing him.

Police report Goeman was extremely intoxicated at the time, according to a criminal complaint.

The victim told officers he did not know why Goeman appeared to want to stab him.

Several witnesses corroborated the man's story, stating they observed Goeman swing a knife at the victim. The victim then reportedly ran away from Goeman and threw a chair in his path, which caused the knife to fall away.

Police report the victim said he was "convinced he would have been killed" if he hadn't been able to escape Goeman and thrown a chair at him.

Officers located the knife, which they report was a fold-out switchblade. Goeman admitted to pulling the knife out, according to police, but claimed he was simply defending himself.

Goeman faces a penalty of up to seven years in prison and up to a $14,000 fine. He was released from the Hennepin County Jail on Mar. 30, after posting $20,000 in bail money.