Family of man killed at St. Peter psychiatric hospital sues state
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The family of a man killed at a state psychiatric hospital by a fellow patient alleges in a lawsuit filed Monday that staff ignored warning signs and allowed the alleged killer to play a violent video game shortly before the attack, in violation of hospital rules.
Abdirashad Hussein was found bludgeoned to death on Jan. 1, 2024, in his room at the Forensic Mental Health Program, formerly known as the Minnesota Security Hospital in St. Peter, Minn.
A judge had civilly committed Hussein, 36, twice following a diagnosis of severe mental illness including schizoaffective disorder.
Hussein’s symptoms improved, so staff moved him to a less restrictive unit at the facility where he shared a room with David Otey. In 2019, a court found Otey, 45, not guilty by reason of mental illness in the 2018 stabbing death of his sister.
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Hussein's brother Abshir Hussein alleges that hospital staff failed to protect his brother and help Otey as Otey's mental health deteriorated.
Abshir Hussein also claims that staff allowed Otey to play Assassin’s Creed Valhalla, in violation of the hospital’s ban on violent video games, and that Otey emulated the game's protagonist in carrying out the fatal attack.
A court later found Otey not guilty by reason of mental illness in Hussein's death.
The Forensic Mental Health Program was part of the Minnesota Department of Human Services until a reorganization put it under the newly-created Minnesota Direct Care and Treatment (DCT) in 2025.
"The loss of Abdi Hussein was a terrible tragedy that left his friends, family and partners in treatment heartbroken,” DCT CEO Marshall Smith said in a statement. “Our thoughts and sympathies are with his closest loved ones."
DCT said that it’s reviewing the lawsuit and cannot comment on pending litigation.
