A man from Zimmerman has been charged with killing 23-year-old Bruce Hayes at a mental health facility in Minneapolis earlier this week, raising significant concerns about mental health care in the state. Four others sustained injuries during the incident, involving Derek Faulkner, 31, who is also facing separate attempted murder and assault charges from prior incidents in Sherburne and Anoka counties.
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The Hayes family is questioning why Faulkner was not in the state’s secured mental health hospital in St. Peter at the time of the attack. Faulkner is currently being held in the Hennepin County Jail while awaiting trials in all three counties. Richard Stanek, a former Hennepin County Sheriff, noted that the lack of mental health care options is an ongoing issue in Minnesota. He described local county jails as effectively becoming the largest mental health institutions in the state.
When a judge determines someone is mentally ill, they could be committed to secure facilities, but Stanek pointed out the difficulty in finding available beds. State law requires those deemed mentally ill and dangerous to be placed in secure treatment facilities, which are often lacking.
In spring, a state task force issued a report recommending changes to Minnesota’s civil commitment process, including the creation of secure facilities for observing patients and developing community-based locked settings for those needing 24-hour supervision. Advocates emphasize the necessity for proper funding and accountability from legislators to improve the system.
The Hayes family expressed their anguish over Bruce's death during a public statement on Friday. His stepmother, Tamirica Hayes, emphasized that Bruce did not deserve this fate, while his mother, Kenya Taylor-Hayes, described him as gentle and loving. They had trusted the Nancy Page Crisis Residence to provide a safe environment while Bruce sought treatment for depression and anxiety.
The family narrated the violent nature of the attack, which reportedly involved a hammer and a fire extinguisher. They recalled that Bruce, who had been living at the facility for about three weeks, was looking forward to moving into a new independent housing program just days before his death.
Concerned about how Faulkner ended up at the facility, attorney Chris Stewart, representing the Hayes family, called for answers regarding the staffing, supervision, and overall safety measures in place. The family wants clarification on how the attack could have been prevented.
People Incorporated, the organization running the facility, confirmed that they visited Bruce while he was on life support, but many questions remain. The Minnesota Department of Human Services is currently investigating the incident, which follows previous cautions regarding reporting practices at People Incorporated's facilities. They stated there is an ongoing maltreatment investigation concerning the events at the Nancy Page program, affirming their commitment to ensuring safe service delivery.