Man who stabbed Minneapolis attacker isn't charged

By Vince Tuss, Star Tribune

Last update: November 21, 2009 - 7:23 PM

The man who fatally stabbed a Minneapolis teenager earlier this month will not face charges, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Friday.

Tim Jackson was found early Nov. 7 with a stab wound after police were called to E. 28th Street and Hiawatha Avenue S. on a report of a robbery. He later died at Hennepin County Medical Center.

But Jackson and another teen, Andre Whirlwind Horse, were out to assault and rob someone on the Midtown Greenway, Freeman said, citing felony attempted robbery and aggravated robbery charges filed earlier this month against Whirlwind Horse.

Freeman said the man, who was walking home from his girlfriend's house when he was approached from behind and hit by the teens, acted reasonably.

Freeman called the situation tragic and the decision difficult but clear: State law allows people being attacked to use necessary force to protect themselves.

The man stabbed Jackson only once, left the area to call 911 and stayed to talk with police, Freeman said. The police reports as well as the statements from the man and Whirlwind Horse are remarkably similar, he added.

"It's a difficult area," Freeman said of the Greenway, "But he's still entitled to walk the streets of Minneapolis or any other area without being assaulted."