A 21-year-old Fridley woman has been charged with felony third-degree assault after allegedly throwing an object at her neighbor’s face, causing multiple fractures and a serious eye injury during an argument in August, according to a criminal complaint filed in Anoka County District Court.
The Assault
Police were called to 430 Ironton Street NE in Fridley on August 21, 2025, after reports of a violent assault between neighbors. When officers arrived, they found a woman bleeding heavily from a deep cut beneath her right eye. The victim told officers that her neighbor, Nyobi Nadia Ridgner, had shouted insults at her before throwing an unknown object that struck her in the face.
According to the complaint, the victim immediately experienced blurry vision and heavy bleeding. Medics at the scene advised her to go to the hospital, where doctors documented extensive facial injuries: a laceration below the right eye, an eyelid abrasion, internal bleeding in the eye, an open fracture of the right maxillary sinus wall, and a fracture to the orbital floor—the bone beneath the eye.
Ridgner fled before police arrived but was later identified as the suspect.
Felony Charge Filed
Prosecutors charged Ridgner with third-degree assault causing substantial bodily harm, a felony punishable by up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine under Minnesota Statute 609.223.
Judge Karin McCarthy found probable cause to proceed with the charge and issued a summons for Ridgner to appear in court. The case was filed on October 13, 2025.
The complaint states that police documented the scene and collected evidence consistent with the victim’s injuries. There was no indication that the two women had a physical altercation prior to the assault; investigators determined that the attack began with verbal harassment and escalated when the object was thrown.
Severe Injury and Medical Aftermath
The victim’s injuries required ongoing medical evaluation due to the risk of permanent vision damage. Fractures to the orbital floor and maxillary sinus are considered serious because they can affect both facial structure and eyesight, often requiring surgery.
According to police, the severity of the injuries elevated the case from a misdemeanor to a felony-level assault.
Court Proceedings
Ridgner has been ordered to appear in Anoka County District Court for her first hearing. Failure to appear could result in an arrest warrant and additional charges.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. This article is based solely on verified court filings from Anoka County District Court dated October 13, 2025.
