A Minnesota pastor was released from jail on bond after allegedly stabbing his girlfriend's ex-boyfriend when the man showed up at the woman's home demanding receipts for tools he believed were being pawned, according to police and a criminal complaint.
Terrence Phillip Walker Sr., 61, was arrested June 26 and posted $50,000 bond before being released from Ramsey County Jail on Monday. He is charged with assault in connection with the stabbing of a 39-year-old man at his girlfriend's residence.
Background
The confrontation began when the victim arrived at the St. Paul home shared by Walker and Walker's girlfriend on the evening of June 25. According to police, the man believed Walker and his girlfriend had been removing his tools from the garage—tools he had kept at the property since moving out—and suspected they were planning to pawn them for cash. He came specifically to retrieve remaining items and demand documentation of any transactions.
The situation quickly escalated when the woman could not produce pawn receipts immediately, frustrating the victim. After an argument inside the residence, both men moved outside where Walker was working on a vehicle in the driveway. The confrontation intensified as they got "in each other's faces," according to witness accounts.
The Investigation
Officers responded to the home at 10:45 p.m. after receiving reports of a stabbing. They found the victim "shirtless and bleeding from his mouth" with a wound to his abdomen so severe that "internal tissue was exposed." He was holding clothing against the injury and was transported to Regions Hospital for emergency surgery. He survived.
Walker's girlfriend told police she witnessed the altercation unfold after her ex-boyfriend confronted her about the missing receipts. She reported seeing Walker "swing his arms" and observed her ex with a bloody lip clutching his stomach afterward. The woman's 15-year-old daughter, whom she shares with the victim, also witnessed the incident from inside the residence.
The teenager told investigators she heard a "slashing sound" during the fight and observed that as her father bled from his mouth, Walker "kept trying to pounce" on him. She described seeing Walker carrying what she identified as a "long knife in a green case."
Police located Walker at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves as lead pastor. A search of his person uncovered a razor blade, which Walker claimed he used to cut his beard but also acknowledged was the weapon allegedly used in the stabbing.
When questioned by investigators, Walker admitted to knowing both his girlfriend and her ex-boyfriend for extended periods—his girlfriend for many years and the victim for approximately 20 years. He stated that until recently, the man had been a member of his congregation.
Walker provided police with his account of the incident: he claimed the victim threw the first punch after their argument about the pawn receipts escalated. He said he responded by swinging a razor blade at the man but could not recall how many times he struck him. Walker also alleged that during the confrontation, the victim made threats referencing a firearm in his vehicle.
The victim's current girlfriend spoke with police at Regions Hospital. She confirmed that her partner had been storing tools in his ex-girlfriend's garage and said surveillance video showed Walker and the woman removing those tools—supporting his belief they intended to pawn them. According to her account, he went to the residence that night specifically to recover any remaining equipment.
Key Takeaways
- Terrence Phillip Walker Sr., 61, is charged with assault following an alleged stabbing at his girlfriend's St. Paul home on June 25
- The victim, a 39-year-old man who previously dated Walker's girlfriend, came to retrieve tools he believed were being pawned without his knowledge
- Police found the victim with severe abdominal wounds requiring emergency surgery; he survived
- Walker was arrested at Morning Star Missionary Baptist Church, where he serves as lead pastor
- The alleged attack was witnessed by Walker's girlfriend and her 15-year-old daughter, who also shares a relationship with the victim
What's Next
Walker is due back in court on July 23 for further proceedings. He remains free on $50,000 bond. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident, including the dispute over allegedly missing tools.