At least 30 arrested in Minneapolis following fireworks mayhem, mortars thrown at police

Most of the arrests were for probable cause "riot." Three people were being held on fourth-degree assault on police.

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Crime Watch MN
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fireworks
State Troopers assisted with crowd control in Dinkytown. (Photo submitted to Crime Watch)

At least 30 people were arrested in Minneapolis following July 4th fireworks mayhem that took place in the areas of Dinkytown near the University of Minnesota, Lake Nokomis, and Bde Maka Ska (formerly Calhoun), according to a Friday press briefing held by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.

The chief said that although there were no serious injuries and no shootings on the Independence Day holiday compared to the last two years, there was a lot of dangerous and “stupid” activity by some who were targeting police, civilians, and property with fireworks.

Most of the arrests were for probable cause “riot.” Three people were being held on fourth-degree assault on police, two were being held on weapons charges, and other charges included fleeing police, disorderly conduct, and false information to police.

MPD posted four brief video clips on their YouTube channel showing incidents and the police response to one of the incidents.

The first video depicted an explosive firework being thrown at a squad in Dinkytown on 14th Avenue Southeast.

Another video clip showed police chasing down some of the suspects near 14th and University avenues on the edge of the U of M campus.

Chief O’Hara described that he was at one incident where a mortar was thrown at police and said the blast was louder than a shotgun. Dispatch audio at the time indicated that at least one of the arrests was from that incident. The chief expressed relief that no one was injured in the blast.

MPD had at least 200 officers on duty, O’Hara said, and he also acknowledged that several agencies assisted, including University of Minnesota Police, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Minneapolis Park Police, and about 50 State Patrol Troopers.

Most of the arrests came from the Dinkytown area, but a couple of arrests were made in the Lake Nokomis incidents, where up to 100 juveniles were reported to be present and were reportedly throwing rocks and mortars at police and passing vehicles.

In addition to the arrests, about five citations were issued for illegal activity that wasn’t specified by the chief.

O’Hara said that the arrested parties ranged in age from 15 to 23, and most were from areas outside of Minneapolis and five had out-of-state identifications. Booking records showed addresses listed for the suspects from Apple Valley, Lakeville, Columbia Heights, Shakopee, St. Cloud, Andover, Cottage Grove, Robbinsdale, and Maplewood, as well as St. Cloud, Rochester, Minneapolis and St. Paul. Two suspects listed addresses in Maine and three had addressed in Massachusetts.

Chief O’Hara said the incidents will continue to be investigated, and more arrests could be made as a result.

Friday night was relatively quiet in Minneapolis in terms of reports of unruly crowds or fireworks problems.

A handful of the arrested parties had been released from custody as of late Friday evening. In some cases, bail amounts were posted; in other cases, records weren’t immediately clear if the parties were or will be formally charged.

Alpha News will continue to follow developments in the cases.

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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.

 

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Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.

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