A St. Paul man tried to kill his sister by stabbing her several times in the neck and upper body, damaging the woman's trachea and esophagus, according to charges.

Pierre D. Ramsey, 25, was charged Tuesday in Ramsey County District Court with one count each of second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault. He allegedly stabbed his sister at 2:40 a.m. Monday.

Police said the woman, 28, of Bayport, went to her mother's home in the 2100 block of Glenridge Avenue to pick up her two daughters after work.

They got into their car, and then the woman went back for some food she'd left behind. The oldest daughter saw Ramsey attacking her mother on the front steps; he had been waiting in the bushes, police said.

The woman was taken to the hospital, where she underwent surgery on her trachea, esophagus and left thumb. More surgery will be needed, according to police charges, which did not address a motive.

Ramsey was arrested later that day when he appeared in court for a pending criminal case. Court records show that Ramsey is charged in several cases ranging from damage to property to possession of a firearm. He has been convicted of domestic assault several times.