A Minneapolis man court records state was a suspect in multiple gang-related shootings was convicted by a federal jury Wednesday for possessing a machine gun.
According to a press release from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and court filings in the case, Amiir Mawlid Ali, 19, was found last summer in possession of an illegal gun conversion device, often referred to as a “switch,” that converts a semi-automatic firearm to shoot multiple rounds with one pull of the trigger, making the gun fully automatic.
On June 3, 2025, Minneapolis police pulled over a vehicle for a routine traffic stop in south Minneapolis after the vehicle failed to completely stop at the intersection and then aggressively accelerated through the intersection.
The front seat passenger was recognized by the officer as Ali from prior investigations in which Ali was associated with multiple gang-related shootings and was known to carry firearms.
The three occupants were asked if there were any firearms or weapons in the vehicle. The occupants all hesitated before replying “no.” However, Ali repeatedly looked down at the floorboard and was moving objects with his feet.
The occupants of the vehicle told officers they were headed to the Edina High School graduation at the University of Minnesota, where officers were aware a shooting had taken place at another graduation ceremony just days earlier at the Wayzata High School graduation.
The occupants were removed from the vehicle, and an officer easily observed a firearm under the passenger seat where Ali was sitting — the same area Ali was fixated with throughout the traffic stop.
Ali tried to flee the scene during the traffic stop, but officers apprehended him before he could get away. The firearm was equipped with a switch device and an extended magazine, which was loaded with over 30 rounds of ammunition.
Despite being arrested and detained on probable cause possession of a machine gun, Ali was released from custody without being charged after Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty deferred a charging decision, stating there wasn’t enough evidence to charge Ali.
Amiir Mawlid Ali was one of the parties arrested in Burnsville this past weekend after shots were fired at their graduation ceremony on June 6.
Ali was in jail following his arrest in Hennepin County on June 3, but Mary Moriarty decided not to charge him. Ali was released on… pic.twitter.com/znL0JuhHci
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) June 12, 2025
Two days later, Ali was arrested again following shots fired outside the Burnsville High School graduation on June 6, 2025. He has been in federal custody since being arrested following that incident.
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Submitted video from the Burnsville shots fired after graduation.We're also told one of the arrested parties was just released from jail on PC weapons without being charged. Crime Watch is working to confirm. pic.twitter.com/MedHFVfzvR
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) June 7, 2025
“The verdict announced [Wednesday] makes clear that possession of a firearm modified to function as a machine gun will not be tolerated,” said Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office. “The FBI is proud of our work on this case, and we thank our Local, State and Federal law enforcement partners for their assistance. Together we will work to stop those who put innocent lives in our community at risk.”
The jury convicted Ali on one count of possession of a machine gun. He faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison. The DOJ said a federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors. A sentencing date has not yet been set.
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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.
