Published: October 21st 2026.
NORTH SAINT PAUL - A 29-year-old North St. Paul man is facing two counts of second-degree murder after prosecutors allege he fatally struck his 69-year-old father twice in the head with a hammer on Sunday, October 18th.
Jamal Jevonta Nash faces one felony count of second-degree intentional murder without premeditation and one felony count of second-degree unintentional murder while committing a felony. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison under Minnesota law.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Ramsey County District Court, officers responded to a residence on Chippewa Avenue at approximately 1:30 p.m. after a woman called 911 reporting that her son had struck her husband in the head with a hammer.
Upon arrival, officers encountered the woman holding a bloody towel. She directed them to her husband, who was unresponsive and suffering from severe head injuries. The complaint states that officers observed significant bleeding and exposed brain tissue.
The woman told investigators that Nash had moved into the residence the previous day, October 17. On the afternoon of the incident, her husband had been helping Nash settle into the home, including setting up a television in his bedroom.
According to the complaint, the victim had returned to the living room to unpack additional belongings when Nash allegedly ran out of his bedroom and struck him in the head with a ball-peen hammer.
The woman reportedly attempted to intervene and take the hammer away, but Nash allegedly struck his father a second time before she was able to wrestle the weapon from him.
Investigators stated that the attack occurred without warning or any preceding argument.
Following the alleged assault, Nash reportedly exclaimed, "Oh my God," and began crying and screaming. When his mother questioned why he had struck his father and told him they needed to call 911, Nash fled the residence through the back door, according to the complaint.
The criminal complaint also describes concerns raised by Nash's mother regarding his mental health and recent changes in behavior.
She told investigators that Nash had been diagnosed with schizophrenia approximately five years earlier and had undergone a medication change in mid-September. Following that change, she reportedly noticed significant behavioral differences, including prolonged periods without sleep, pacing, reduced food intake and changes in his mood.
She further told investigators that Nash had never previously displayed aggressive or violent behavior and had a loving relationship with his father.
According to the complaint, Nash had also recently been hospitalized following an apparent seizure. His mother reported that Nash contacted his parents the following day and asked them to pick him up, claiming he had been discharged.
However, a physician subsequently contacted the family and indicated that medical staff had wanted Nash to remain hospitalized longer to evaluate whether his medication was affecting his behavior. His mother later learned that Nash had not been truthful about being discharged, according to the complaint.
After the alleged assault, Nash's brother arrived at the residence and spoke with him by telephone. Family members were able to determine his location, and officers subsequently located and arrested him.
During a post-arrest interview, Nash agreed to speak with investigators after being advised of his constitutional rights.
When asked what had happened, Nash initially told investigators, "Someone was attacking my whole family."
He later stated, "Somebody hit my father, and my mother was crying."
According to the complaint, Nash did not initially identify who had struck his father. When investigators asked whether the incident had been an accident, he answered, "Yes."
Later in the interview, Nash reportedly acknowledged striking his father, telling officers, "I hit my father. He was holding me for hostage."
When questioned further, Nash admitted to striking his father twice in the head with a hammer, according to the complaint.
Investigators recovered a hammer from the residence.
Emergency medical personnel transported the victim to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where he died from his injuries at approximately 6:43 a.m. on Monday, October 19.
Nash is charged under two alternative theories of second-degree murder: intentional murder without premeditation and unintentional murder while committing second-degree assault.
The allegations contained in the criminal complaint have not been proven in court. Nash is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Source: Ramsey County District Court criminal complaint,