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Men Allegedly Kidnap, Stab Man They Knew From Facebook

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – Two men were arrested early Friday morning in Cass County after they allegedly kidnapped and stabbed another man they knew from Facebook.

Twenty-two-year-old Sheldon James Armstrong, III, of Cass Lake, Minn., and 18-year-old Travis Richard Paquette, of Bemidji, Minn., both face one count each of first degree attempted murder, kidnapping, second degree assault with a dangerous weapon and theft of a motor vehicle.

According to the criminal complaint, officers from Cass County responded to a call around 2:45 a.m. from a residence near Cass Lake.

Upon arrival, police found an adult male sitting on the porch that was covered in blood.

Police said the man told them he had been stabbed multiple times by two men, later identified as Armstrong and Paquette.

The male told police that Armstrong had texted him asking for a ride from the Che-We gas station. The victim said he knew Armstrong from Facebook, although he had only met him a few times in person.

Police said the victim picked up Armstrong and Paquette and drove them to a remote location where Armstrong said he was going to buy marijuana.

Upon arrival, the victim, Armstrong and Paquette got out of the car and walked down a nearby trail.

Officers said that Armstrong then tackled the victim and yelled to Paquette to "hit" him.

The victim was then allegedly stabbed in the lower throat region by Paquette.

The victim said that Armstrong and Paquette continued to attack him, and, after stabbing him a few more times, tied the victim's hands with a yellow strap and  put him in the truck.

The victim said Armstrong threatened his life multiple times while they were driving.

Police said the men eventually stopped the car, took the victim out and placed him in the middle of the road.

They then sped towards him in the truck.

The victim was able to roll away and took off running before they could follow him, arriving at the house from which he called police.

Police said they were later able to locate the victim's truck behind a house on John Moose Drive in Cass Lake, Minn.

Police then arrested Armstrong from inside the house and Paquette two blocks from the residence.

The victim was taken to Stanford Hospital in Bemidji where he was treated for stab wounds.

Armstrong and Paquette were arraigned on Monday in Cass County District Court for the aforementioned charges.

Their next court appearance is at 1 p.m. Aug. 11.

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