St. Paul man charged with attempted murder, assault after allegedly poisoning his kids’ mother
Thorbjorn Vadnis Koyen MacBain[Ramsey County Sheriff's Office]
A St. Paul man is charged with attempted murder and assault after he allegedly poured poisonous substance over the mother of his children.
Roseville Police said 38-year-old Thorbjorn Vadnis Koyen MacBain is charged with second-degree attempted murder and second-degree assault in connection to the incident, which happened Wednesday night at Central Park.
Roseville officers responded to the park at 7:40 p.m. Wednesday on a report of a woman suffering a medical emergency.
Police said officers learned the victim and her children were at the park for a custody visit with MacBain. He told officers that he and his children were playing with water guns when he said the victim had a panic attack after he sprayed her with water. He also told officers she had underlying health issues that may have contributed to her condition.
The woman was taken to a hospital, where her condition deteriorated, police said. Medical experts told officers she nearly died, and her symptoms were consistent with being poisoned with an organophosphate.
Eventually, the victim’s condition stabilized and she told detectives she’d been sitting on a park bench when MacBain came up behind her and poured a liquid on her. She reported that the liquid had a smell and feel inconsistent with water, and she immediately felt like she was about to pass out. However, she was able to dial 911.
Police said one of the children was also slightly splashed with the liquid and developed mild symptoms.
A hazardous materials team responded to the park along with a Minnesota National Guard 55th Civil Support Team and determined there was no risk to the public.
Officers conducted surveillance on MacBain’s home and took him into custody Thursday. On Friday, authorities obtained a search warrant for the home and executed it with the help of hazardous materials teams.
Anyone with information that could help authorities is asked to contact Roseville police at 651-792-7008 or submit a tip online here.