Burnsville Man Charged with Domestic Assault Claims He Was Reenacting Jackie Chan Movie

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A Burnsville man facing domestic assault charges had an unusual excuse for police investigators: He claims he and the victim were reenacting a fight scene from a Jackie Chan movie.

Qiang Du, 22, faces one felony count of domestic assault by strangulation, one felony count of terroristic threats and two misdemeanor counts of domestic assault for his alleged role in the incident. If convicted on the terroristic threats charge, Du could face a maximum of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Eagan police interviewed the victim, who allegedly told investigators that she  recently ended a business arrangement with Du's mother. On Aug. 28, the victim was leaving the business when Du allegedly followed her outside, grabbed her by the throat with one hand and squeezed until his mother rushed outside and told him to stop. Once Du released his grip, the victim collapsed to the ground, according to a criminal complaint filed by the Dakota County Attorney's Office.

The victim also told police that Du threatened her and her daughter several times over the phone.

When police interviewed Du on Aug. 30, he allegedly became excited and told police "it was all a misunderstanding." Instead of assaulting the victim, Du claimed he was performing a scene from a Jackie Chan movie where one character yells at and chokes another. Du also stated that he yelled lines from the movie at the victim during the alleged assault.

Du allegedly told police that he stopped the reenactment when his mother, who felt Du's actions were "very dangerous," told him to stop. Based on his own admissions during the interview, police arrested Du.