Two Men Charged for Attemped Murder in Cass County

Two men have landed behind bars in Cass County for attempted murder. Sheldon James Armstrong III of Cass Lake and Travis Richard Paquette of Bemidji were arraigned in Cass County District Court today for charges of attempted murder in the first degree, kidnapping, second degree assault and theft of a motor vehicle.

According to the Cass County Attorney’s Office, authorities were called to a residence near Cass Lake in the early morning on August 1^st. Upon arrival, authorities spoke to a man who appeared to be covered in blood. The male told officials that Armstrong and Paquette had stabbed him multiple times and attempted to kill him.

According to the report, the victim knew Armstrong and said that he had asked him for a ride from the Che-We gas station in Cass Lake. He picked up Armstrong and Paquette and drove them to a rural location, where Armstrong indicated that he was going to purchase marijuana.

Armstrong and Paquette then allegedly assaulted the victim and stabbed him multiple times. They then bound his wrists, loaded him into the truck, and drove away. At one point, the report says Armstrong and Paquette unloaded the victim in the middle of the road, backed the truck up, and then attempted to run the male over. The victim was able to escape by rolling out of the way and running into the woods.

Armstrong and Paquette are both being held in the Cass County Jail. Unconditional bail was set at $100,000 or $75,000 with conditions. The next court appearance for both parties is scheduled for August 11^th at 1:00PM.