Fireworks were thrown at police in Dinkytown near the University of Minnesota campus early Monday morning during what seemed to be an extension of repeated disturbances by Somali youth that authorities appear unable to control.
An officer aired to dispatch about 12:40 a.m. Monday that Roman candles were being launched at a University of Minnesota police squad near the intersection of 4th Street Southeast and 13th Avenue Southeast, according to police scanner audio.
Within minutes, Crime Watch Minneapolis began receiving video clips and messages from area residents describing “absolute chaos” in Dinkytown and large groups of Somali teens setting off fireworks.
Video clips appeared to show loud fireworks going off, with one explosion right in front of a squad car.
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Submitted: "Absolute chaos in Dinkytown tonight. Streets filled with what appears to be juvenile Somalians. Fireworks blowing up on every block & Hellcats doing burnouts. Another Sunday night in Dinky… Video taken from a student apartment building."@robin4mpls @MayorFrey pic.twitter.com/mRlj9TUUfi— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) June 17, 2024
One report to Crime Watch said police were in the area and trying to disband the groups. Another report from a resident said police were blocking the road but not doing anything else.
Incidents reportedly involving the groups continued into the morning with a report of shots being fired just before 3 a.m. near 5th and Main Street Southeast where a witness reported a Somali teen firing about seven shots and about 15 vehicles taking off. Police arrived and found spent shell casings at the location.
Just after 3 a.m., a female reported being followed and harassed by the group in Dinkytown. Police were unable to locate her at the time but eventually made phone contact with her, and she told them she made it home safe with another friend, according to dispatch audio.
Earlier in the weekend, just before 1 a.m. Saturday, another officer reported that he had fireworks thrown at him in front of the Kollege Klub bar. Other officers arrived and reported a “very large group of Somali youth gathering.” Police again attempted to shut down the intersections in the area, according to scanner audio.
The incidents this past weekend are just the latest in repeated incidents of mob violence that have plagued the Dinkytown area over the last couple of years with groups throwing fireworks at people, into crowds, and at buildings. Shootouts and groups engaging in targeted assaults have also occurred.
In past years, police have set up barricades to limit traffic in the Dinkytown area on weekends. It’s unclear what plans are being made for the area as the July 4 holiday approaches, as the last two years have proven to spawn chaos across the city.
The Stone Arch Bridge, which connects downtown and Northeast Minneapolis and has been the site of past July 4 and summer chaos, is currently closed to pedestrian traffic due to construction. The Minneapolis Park Board has also taken the unusual step of a planned closure of roadways around Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) during the July 4 holiday after last year’s mayhem around the lake.
Liz Collin recently reported that Minneapolis police staffing was down to 493 officers — from a high of close to 900 in early 2020. The department has also been under stress with the recent murder of Officer Jamal Mitchell, as well as an officer-involved fatal shooting just two weeks later that has left three officers on administrative leave during the investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
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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.
Crime Watch MN
Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.
