CHAMPLIN, Minn. — A man was sentenced to over 11 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges stemming from a brutal stabbing incident involving his parents last September. The violent attack left both parents in critical condition and led to a widespread search for the suspect.
Travis William Lester, 40, of Circle Pines, received a sentence of 135 months and 15 days on May 8, with credit for nearly 250 days served in jail. The case revolved around an alarming 911 call that drew police attention to a home on 120th Avenue North shortly after the assault took place on September 5, 2025.
Emergency dispatchers received a call that began with muffled sounds and a woman’s distressed voice before officers arrived at the scene. A neighbor also reported seeing a bloodied woman at the residence. Upon arrival, police found Lester’s father on a deck, severely injured and describing his son as the assailant. The father indicated that his son might have been in a “drug-induced rage” during the attack.
Authorities later located Lester’s mother at a neighboring residence, exhibiting multiple stab wounds. Both parents were transported to a hospital for emergency surgery and remained in critical condition, requiring extensive medical intervention. Evidence collected from the scene, including a knife and signs of violence within the home, pointed to the severity of the assault.
After the attack, law enforcement quickly established a search for Lester, who was seen driving a silver Buick Lucerne. He was located hours later in Lino Lakes, where officers discovered a kitchen knife resembling one from the victims’ home and a jar that reportedly contained methamphetamine. He was taken into custody without incident, ending a brief period during which authorities urged nearby residents to stay indoors.
In a post-arrest statement, Lester revealed he had contemplated the attack for a couple of days but initially did not want to go through with it. This acknowledgment played a crucial role in the case, as prosecutors approached the charges as more than a spontaneous altercation, leading to charges of attempted second-degree murder against him.
After several months of proceedings in Hennepin County District Court, Lester pled guilty on April 10. Prior to this, he made attempts to dismiss the case, arguing that his bail conditions violated his rights. However, his guilty plea spared his parents from having to testify in a public trial about the traumatic events they endured that night.
The imposed sentence ensures that Lester will spend significant time in prison, although state guidelines could influence the duration of his confinement. Reports indicate he will serve his term at the Minnesota Correctional Facility in St. Cloud. The sentencing reflects the serious nature of the charges against him, each representing one of the two parents who were attacked.
In the aftermath of the incident, both victims are expected to face a long recovery process following their injuries. The case garnered attention in the local community, highlighting issues surrounding domestic violence and substance abuse. As the situation unfolds, both the condition of the victims and the implications of Lester’s actions continue to be closely monitored.