Man Charged with Tackling, Choking Girlfriend in Parking Lot

Police say a 20-year-old Eagan man tackled his girlfriend and put her in a chokehold while the woman was walking across a parking lot with her 3-year-old son.

Ryan Andrew Gasior, of Eagan, faces one count of felony domestic assault by strangulation and one count of misdemeanor domestic assault for his alleged role in the domestic assault, which occurred around 6 p.m. on May 4 along Thomas Center Drive.

Police say Gasior was angry because his girlfriend hadn't responded to phone calls and received a ride home from work from someone else. The defendant allegedly drove around until he found her walking with her son, then confronted her in the parking lot.

During the argument, police say Gasior tackled the woman, then pinned her in a chokehold until she saw black spots in front of her vision and became light-headed. The fight was broken up by a witness, who told Gasior to leave and unintentionally broke the suspect's car window, police said.

Gasior allegedly admitted to choking the woman, but told officers he only wanted to scare her. Numerous witnesses told police they saw the defendant exit the vehicle and "football tackle" the victim.

If convicting on the domestic assault by strangulation charge, Gasior could face a maximum of three years in prison and $1,500 in fines.