5:09 P.M. FRIDAY UPDATE: An 18-year-old Duluth man has been charged with felony second-degree assault after authorities said he cut a man’s ear with a knife near the Slip Bridge in Canal Park.

According to a criminal complaint, Leland Daniel Carlson crossed the bridge as it was lowering Thursday afternoon and tried to push open its gate after a bridge operator told him to stop. A 48-year-old man confronted Carlson, leading to a physical altercation.

Investigators allege Carlson swung at the man and struck him in the face and left ear. The injury was not life-threatening but required stitches.

A witness followed Carlson as he ran from the scene and provided location updates to police. Officers arrested him behind Grandma’s Saloon.

Police said they found a folding knife along the route Carlson allegedly took. The knife had what appeared to be blood inside its folding mechanism, according to the complaint.

Carlson remains detained pending further court proceedings. The charge carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison, a $20,000 fine or both.

DULUTH, Minn. (Northern News Now) – An 18-year-old man was arrested Thursday after a reported stabbing in Canal Park, according to Duluth police.

Police responded around 4 p.m. and found a 48-year-old man with a minor cut to his ear.

A short time later, officers found the suspect, identified as Leland Carlson, and arrested him on pending second-degree assault charges. He was booked into the St. Louis County Jail.

Police said a knife was found and seized.

We will continue to provide updates.

Source: https://www.northernnewsnow.com/2026/07/09/update-18-year-old-duluth-man-charged-with-felony-second-degree-assault-following-canal-park-incident/