A woman who was stabbed to death at a Minneapolis bus stop last week has been identified as 78-year-old Maria Elena Mantini.
According to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, Mantini died of a stab wound to the chest and her death was ruled a homicide. The Minneapolis Police Department is investigating the case.
Mantini’s death marked the city’s 15th homicide of 2021. There are now 16 homicides on the year, according to a map maintained by Crime Watch Minneapolis.
MPD said officers with Metro Transit Police responded to a report of a stabbing in the area of Chicago Avenue South and East Franklin on the morning of March 17. Responding officers located Mantini, who was in grave condition and suffering from stab wounds. She was transported to the Hennepin County Medical Center and died there a short time later.
Mantini’s death in particular caused outrage among community leaders because of her age.
“Yesterday, a 70-year-old woman was stabbed, while earlier this week a young girl was sexually assaulted at George Floyd Memorial Square, which has become a self-declared autonomous zone, where firefighters, police officers, and other law enforcement officials are prohibited,” Minneapolis City Council candidate Michael Moore said in a statement last week.
Moore said residents and business owners in the area surrounding Minneapolis’ autonomous zone, several blocks from where Mantini was killed, “just can’t take it anymore.”
“Unfortunately, what is lacking at this moment in time is competent and resolute leadership on the Minneapolis City Council that can match the needs and the will of the people,” he added.
Rev. Tim Christopher, founder and president of Shepherds Works, said the Minnesota DFL “broke this city” and has blood on its hands.
HOW THE HELL DO YOU STAB A 70 YEAR OLD WOMAN TO DEATH IN MINNEAPOLIS…OR ANYWHERE ELSE…MY GOD! 🙏🏾
— RevTimChristopher (@RevTChristopher) March 18, 2021
“70-year-old lady waiting at a bus stop, dead and you have nothing to say about it! This is on you!” Christopher wrote on Twitter.
Dear @MinnesotaDFL You broke this City, Blood is truly on your hands!!!!!! 70 year old lady waiting at a bus stop, dead and you have nothing to say about it!!!! This is on you!!!!🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬🤬
— RevTimChristopher (@RevTChristopher) March 18, 2021
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
