GRAND MARAIS, Minn. - A gathering in Northern Minnesota that is meant to promote peace, harmony, and freedom turned violent after a man under the influence of hallucinogenic drugs attacked several people and bit off another man’s finger.
According to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office, a Rainbow Gathering was being held in Superior National Forest off of Trout Lake Road, approximately 20 kilometres north of Grand Marais.
Officers with the Cook County Sheriff’s Office were called to the area on Sunday after receiving reports of a man attacking several people while under the influence of LSA, LSD, and ‘Morning Glory Seeds.’
Police said a 20-year-old man is alleged to have assaulted a 40-year-old female who refused his advances by grabbing her by the throat and attempting to strangle her and pull her jaw apart by force.
The woman called for help and others in the group came to assist her. Those who attempted to pull the 20-year-old off the woman noted he was exhibiting ‘super human strength.’
During the struggle, the alleged assailant bit off part of a finger of another man. He was finally subdued by the others and restrained with duct tape until officers arrived.
An officer who responded to the scene was assaulted as well when attempting to prevent the defendant from cutting off his own circulation.
The victims were treated at North Shore Health Hospital in Grand Marais and later released.
The 20-year-old man from Northfield, Minn. is being charged with first degree assault (strangulation, jaw pulling) and fourth degree assault on a peace officer. He is being held on a $200,000 bail in the Cook County Jail and will make his first court appearance on Tuesday.
Rainbow Gatherings are held around the world and are made up of small communities of people who meet on a yearly basis in remote areas to share ideologies of peace, harmony, freedom, and respect.
