A St. Paul man allegedly threatened a young boy with a knife and used a racial slur against the child because he cut in front of him at the hot dog stand at a convenience store.

Richard N. Hyatt, 58, was charged Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court with second-degree assault and terroristic threats.

According to the complaint: The boy's mother told police she was at the convenience store with her two young children on Monday. The boy, whose age is not disclosed in court documents, cut in front of Hyatt. Hyatt "pulled a knife on her and threatened to stab her and her son."

He allegedly used a racial slur that is used against Hispanic people, the charges said.

A store clerk called police to the store, 500 7th St. E., about 5:45 p.m. A second clerk was working the counter and intervened when he saw Hyatt confront the woman and child, the charges said. The clerk heard Hyatt yelling profanities and saw him pull out the knife.

"I'll cut you," Hyatt said to the woman and child, according to the complaint.

"[The clerk] was standing directly in front of the defendant and felt his life was in danger so he ran back to the counter," the complaint said.

Hyatt fled the store but was found by police in the area. He kept his hands behind his back and ignored police instructions, leading officers to Taser him, the complaint said. A buck knife was recovered from Hyatt.

Hyatt declined to address police questions without an attorney present, but "did state voluntarily, 'It was just a confrontation that really escalated.' "

A records search did not show any previous criminal convictions for Hyatt in Minnesota.

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