Maplewood Woman Charged With Attempted First-Degree Murder of Officer After Alleged Knife Attack
Published: July 23rd, 2026.
MAPLEWOOD MN: A Maplewood woman is facing felony charges of attempted first-degree murder of a peace officer and first-degree assault after prosecutors allege she attacked a Maplewood police sergeant with a knife outside a CVS store on July 21st.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County, Jowharah Jannah Bilal, 48, of Maplewood, has been charged with:
Attempted First-Degree Murder of a Peace Officer, a felony.
First-Degree Assault – Use of Deadly Force Against a Peace Officer, a felony.
According to the complaint, Maplewood police were dispatched at approximately 11:45 a.m. to the CVS located at 2196 White Bear Avenue North after employees reported that a woman had allegedly threatened staff and left the store with unpaid merchandise. Employees reportedly locked the doors after she exited for their safety.
Prosecutors allege Sgt. Anthony Gabriel contacted Bilal outside the store. During the conversation, authorities say Bilal suddenly produced a knife and allegedly stabbed at the officer, striking him in the shoulder. The complaint alleges that after Sgt. Gabriel fell backward, Bilal continued advancing and repeatedly attempted to stab him before her adult son intervened and pulled the knife away.
According to the complaint, additional officers responded and it ultimately took more than five officers, along with multiple uses of an electronic control device, to take Bilal into custody.
Investigators say the knife's blade broke from the handle during the incident, and both pieces were recovered.
The complaint states Sgt. Gabriel suffered a stab wound to his left shoulder and was transported to a hospital for treatment. He was released the following day. Prosecutors allege the wound narrowly avoided causing more serious injuries.
According to the probable cause statement, Bilal's adult son told investigators his mother has experienced long-term mental health issues and has refused treatment. He told officers he had driven her to the store and witnessed portions of the incident.
Store employees told investigators Bilal allegedly left the business with unpaid merchandise before returning inside, where she allegedly confronted employees in an aggressive manner. Surveillance video obtained by investigators allegedly captured the encounter with Sgt. Gabriel, including the moments leading up to the alleged assault.
During a post-arrest interview, according to the complaint, Bilal admitted taking merchandise but claimed she returned it before police arrived. Prosecutors say she acknowledged retrieving the knife but gave conflicting statements about whether she used it and later claimed she could not remember what happened.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court. Bilal is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.