St. Cloud Man Convicted of Murder in Stabbing Death of Pregnant Girlfriend, Sentencing Set for November

(KNSI) – A St. Cloud man has been convicted of murder for stabbing his pregnant girlfriend to death.

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison’s office announced the conviction of 26-year-old Saleebaan Mohamed Abdirisaaq on charges of second-degree intentional murder and second-degree felony murder of an unborn child. Sentencing is scheduled for November 25th, 2026.

During Friday’s plea hearing, Abdirisaaq admitted he got into an argument with the victim, Falus Ali, at a St. Cloud residence, then grabbed a knife from the dishwasher and stabbed her multiple times, including in the neck, chest and arm.

Officers responding to the East Germain Court apartments at about 11:55 p.m. on September 23rd, 2025, found Abdirisaaq waiting outside with his hands up, saying, “It’s me. I’m right here.” He had called dispatch minutes earlier to report a person dead inside the apartment and said he wanted to turn himself in.

Inside, police found Ali’s body near the living room couch. She had been stabbed 34 times. First responders were unable to save her, and she was pronounced dead after being rushed to CentraCare-St. Cloud Hospital. Hospital staff told investigators Ali was 17 weeks pregnant; the baby did not survive the attack. The stabbing was witnessed by Ali and Abdirisaaq’s three-year-old child.

While police were still at the scene, Abdirisaaq’s brother contacted authorities in Minneapolis to say Abdirisaaq had called him and admitted what he’d done. Investigators learned Ali had been granted a domestic abuse no-contact order against Abdirisaaq out of Sherburne County for prior violence, and that a separate restraining order had been filed against him in Hennepin County the previous September over threats made against Ali.

Abdirisaaq was initially charged in Benton County with four counts of second-degree murder, including counts tied to violating a restraining order and the death of an unborn child.

Benton County Attorney Kathleen Reuter referred the case to the Attorney General’s office, which allows the attorney general to appear in criminal cases at a county attorney’s request.

“Abdirisaaq’s crimes are shocking and horrifying, and we are holding him accountable for them,” Ellison said. “My heart breaks for the victim’s family, friends, and loved ones. I will continue to partner with law enforcement across Minnesota to ensure people face justice when they commit such heinous offenses.”

Ellison thanked the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the St. Cloud Police Department for their assistance in the investigation and prosecution.

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