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Man Charged In Drunken Sword Fight That Injured Child

BELTRAMI COUNTY, Minn. (WCCO) -- A 28-year-old Bemidji man has been charged after police say he started a sword fight while drinking with another man.

Lucas Wayne French faces two felony counts of malicious punishment of a child and fourth-degree assault of a police officer. He has also been charged with two misdemeanor counts of dangerous weapons and reckless handling.

On early Tuesday morning, the Beltrami County Sheriff's Office received a call of a person being assaulted with a sword in his rural Beltrami County home.

According to the criminal complaint, when deputies arrived, they found an intoxicated person, now identified as French, trying to leave the home on a bicycle. They stopped French and learned he had been drinking with the homeowner when he suddenly attacked the man with a sword.

In order to defend himself, the homeowner grabbed another sword and the two engaged in a sword fight.

During the fight, a 10-year-old boy was injured when his elbow was struck by French's sword. The boy was treated and released for his injuries.

French's bail is set at $50,000 with conditions. He remains in the Beltrami County Jail.

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