Burnsville Man Accused in Three Assault Cases, Including Attack on 1-Year-Old Child, Hospital Staff and Jail Deputy
Published: September 3, 2026
DAKOTA COUNTY, MINNESOTA: A 26-year-old Burnsville man accused of punching a 1-year-old child during an alleged domestic assault in 2024 is now facing additional felony charges stemming from separate alleged assaults involving hospital employees and a Dakota County correctional deputy.
Zakariya Guled Ahmed is charged across three separate Dakota County criminal cases involving incidents dating from May 2024 through August 2026. The original case alleges Ahmed repeatedly assaulted his sister inside a Burnsville apartment and punched her 1-year-old child in the face. Court records show that Ahmed was subsequently found incompetent to proceed in that criminal case and was admitted to the Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center (AMRTC) for competency-attainment programming.
While under civil commitment, prosecutors allege Ahmed assaulted three employees at Fairview Ridges Hospital's Secure Behavioral Health Unit in May 2026. He is also accused of punching a Dakota County correctional deputy multiple times in the face inside the county jail in August. Across the three cases, Ahmed faces six criminal charges, including four felonies and two misdemeanors. The allegations contained in the criminal complaints have not been proven in court.
Original Case Stems From Alleged Assault on Sister and 1-Year-Old Child
The earliest case dates to May 16, 2024, when law enforcement was dispatched to an apartment in Burnsville for an assault reportedly in progress. According to the criminal complaint, Ahmed's sister told officers that Ahmed had come to her apartment and became verbally aggressive toward her. Prosecutors allege Ahmed then approached his sister and began punching her in the head and body with a closed fist.
The woman got up, grabbed her 1-year-old child and attempted to leave the room, according to the complaint. Ahmed allegedly continued punching the woman and also punched the child in the face. At some point during the assault, the woman fell to the ground while holding her child, prosecutors allege. Ahmed allegedly continued kicking and punching his sister while she was on the ground.
Police reported observing that the child had a swollen eye with discoloration as well as swelling on the bridge of the child's nose. The child was subsequently taken to a hospital, where medical personnel observed bruising to the face and eye, according to the complaint.
Ahmed was charged with third-degree assault of a victim under the age of four, a felony carrying a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison and/or a fine of between $3,000 and $10,000. He was also charged with misdemeanor domestic assault for intentionally inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm upon a family or household member, which carries a maximum possible sentence of 90 days in jail and/or a fine of between $300 and $1,000.
An order of detention accompanied the criminal complaint.
Ahmed Later Found Incompetent to Proceed
The criminal proceedings subsequently became intertwined with questions surrounding Ahmed's competency to proceed. According to a December 2025 Dakota County District Court order, Ahmed had been found incompetent to proceed on the felony and misdemeanor assault charges. Court records state Ahmed arrived at the Anoka-Metro Regional Treatment Center on November 26, 2025, under competency attainment programming status.
The court's December 9th order concerned a petition filed by a licensed medical provider at AMRTC seeking authorization to administer neuroleptic medication. According to information summarized in the court order, Ahmed had begun refusing medication that he had taken sporadically while in jail. The medical provider alleged Ahmed had displayed paranoid, vigilant, and psychotic behavior and had made nonspecific threats and gestures toward others. The filing further alleged that on November 28, 2025, Ahmed became physically aggressive and struck a staff member with his fist.
The court document states Ahmed did not believe he had a mental illness and therefore did not believe he needed neuroleptic medication.
After reviewing the matter, the court determined Ahmed likely met the criteria for civil commitment and that screening for civil commitment was appropriate. Court records indicate Ahmed was found incompetent on December 10, 2025. A finding of incompetency is not a determination of guilt or innocence. Competency addresses whether a defendant is presently able to understand the criminal proceedings and meaningfully participate in their defense.
Three Hospital Employees Allegedly Assaulted in May 2026
A second criminal case stems from an incident on May 29, 2026, at Fairview Ridges Hospital's Secure Behavioral Health Unit in Burnsville. According to the criminal complaint, Burnsville police were dispatched to the hospital regarding an assault on an employee. Officers interviewed a security guard, registered nurse, and nurse technician about what allegedly occurred. Court documents state Ahmed was under a civil commitment at the time.
According to prosecutors, the security guard responded to a secure room to assist nursing staff after Ahmed became upset and threw an iPad across the room. When the security guard and registered nurse opened the room, Ahmed allegedly came out and immediately began punching the security guard in the face. The security guard suffered a fractured molar as a result of the alleged assault, according to the complaint.
Prosecutors allege Ahmed also elbowed the registered nurse in the chest before staff members could restrain him, causing her pain. A nurse technician told investigators she helped get Ahmed onto a bed so he could be restrained. During that process, Ahmed's legs allegedly broke free, and he kneed the technician in the face.
Responding officers reported observing bruising on the nurse technician's face and photographed the injuries.
Ahmed Faces Three Charges in Hospital Case
Ahmed faces three criminal charges stemming from the Fairview Ridges incident. He is charged with felony third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm, which carries a maximum possible sentence of five years in prison and/or a fine of between $3,000 and $10,000.
Ahmed is also charged with felony fourth-degree assault involving an employee at a secure treatment facility causing demonstrable bodily harm. That charge carries a maximum possible sentence of two years in prison and/or a fine of between $1,200 and $4,000.
A third count charges Ahmed with misdemeanor fifth-degree assault for inflicting or attempting to inflict bodily harm, carrying a maximum possible sentence of 90 days in jail and/or a fine of between $300 and $1,000.
The Burnsville Police Department investigated the case.
Dakota County Correctional Deputy Allegedly Punched in August
Ahmed's third criminal case stems from an alleged August 4, 2026, assault inside the Dakota County Jail. According to the criminal complaint, a Dakota County correctional deputy reported being assaulted by Ahmed while working inside the facility. Investigators obtained surveillance video that prosecutors say captured the incident.
The complaint states the deputy was standing in a hallway after a program had ended. Ahmed had been released from his cell to go to the gym and was walking past the deputy. Ahmed can allegedly be seen on the surveillance footage abruptly stopping and punching the correctional deputy multiple times in the face. The deputy told investigators he was dazed and dizzy for some time following the alleged attack. According to the complaint, the deputy also suffered swelling and bruising to his jaw and lip.
Ahmed has been charged with felony fourth-degree assault of a correctional facility employee causing demonstrable bodily harm. The charge carries a maximum possible sentence of two years in prison and/or a fine of between $1,200 and $4,000.
The Dakota County Sheriff's Office investigated the case.
Court documents state Ahmed is currently at AMRTC. The recommendation for the Fairview Ridges case states that Ahmed is under civil commitment at the facility. The prosecution's recommendation in the Fairview Ridges case additionally calls for Ahmed to participate in a pretrial release program. Both recommendations indicate that Ahmed requires booking.
Six Charges Across Three Separate Cases
Ahmed now faces six charges stemming from three separate alleged incidents:
May 16, 2024 — Burnsville apartment: Felony third-degree assault involving a victim under four and misdemeanor domestic assault.
May 29, 2026 — Fairview Ridges Hospital: Felony third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm, felony fourth-degree assault involving a secure treatment facility employee and misdemeanor fifth-degree assault.
Aug. 4, 2026 — Dakota County Jail: Felony fourth-degree assault of a correctional facility employee causing demonstrable bodily harm.
The cases involve separate alleged victims and are being prosecuted separately. Ahmed's competency and civil commitment status could affect how the criminal cases proceed through the court system. A finding that a defendant is incompetent to proceed does not dismiss the underlying criminal charges and does not constitute a finding that the defendant committed the alleged offenses.
Criminal complaints contain allegations establishing what prosecutors contend is probable cause to bring charges. Ahmed is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Pictured: Zakariya Guled Ahmed. Provided by Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
