MANKATO — A Mankato man faces felony charges after authorities said a shed at an apartment complex was intentionally set on fire following a dispute between family members Feb. 6.
Ali Abirahman Abdulikadir, 24, of Mankato, has been charged in Blue Earth County District Court with second-degree arson, negligent fire and misdemeanor domestic assault following an emergency crew response to a report of a fight and a shed fire at an apartment complex in Mankato, according to the court complaint.
Authorities estimate the fire caused about $6,200 in damage.
Witnesses told police that earlier that morning Abdulikadir and his brother went to the apartment where a third brother was staying. The complaint states the two men entered the residence, grabbed the brother who was sleeping and dragged him through the apartment and into the hallway while another witness attempted to intervene. Police reported the victim had multiple scrape marks on his knees and back.
Abdulikadir told officers he and his brother went to the apartment to see the victim and that a disagreement led to a physical struggle, the complaint states. Authorities later located a partially melted lighter near the area where the struggle occurred and a witness reported Abdulikadir had a lighter with him despite not being a smoker.
Surveillance video from the apartment complex showed two individuals walking from Abdulikadir’s apartment toward the area where the fire later started and during an interview with officers, Abdulikadir discussed his religious beliefs, saying he believed the victim to be mentally ill and was bound to a demon. The complaint states he described a way to destroy them with fire.
When asked multiple times if he started the fire or burned anything in the community garden where the shed was, Abdulikadir did not answer, the complaint states. Body camera video shows Abdulikadir picking up a lighter from the pavement and placing it in his hand. Officers said the lighter was later not visible and never recovered.