The woman accused of plowing her vehicle into a crowd of people early Saturday morning in downtown Minneapolis has now been charged with second-degree intentional murder and five counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon.
The crash killed 16-year-old De’Miaya Broome and left five others injured at North 5th Street and Hennepin Avenue just before 12:30 a.m. Saturday; one of the victims was initially reported to be in critical condition. The victims suffered injuries from bumps and bruises to broken legs, and a head injury, charges say.
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Here's the video of last night's fatal crash in downtown Minneapolis that also injured several others.Submitted from a follower. pic.twitter.com/3f5yV0sSdQ
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) September 14, 2024
Charges filed Tuesday in Hennepin County District Court state that the driver of the vehicle, Latalia Anjolie Margalli, 22, encountered a male she knew, and they started to argue. A witness who had arrived at the scene with Margalli later told police that a group of unknown females started getting involved, telling Margalli to leave him alone. The witness said the argument escalated to a fight, at which point Margalli returned to her vehicle after one of the other females sprayed mace. The other females began taunting Margalli for leaving the fight, and one of their friends jumped out of the vehicle and re-engaged in the fight, the witness said. Margalli then drove her vehicle into the group that was fighting and then fled the scene.
Videos posted online shortly after the crash showed both the fight and the vehicle backing up near a crowd of people, which abruptly turned and drove right into and over the crowd at the corner. One of the victims told police that before Margalli got into her vehicle, she said to the group, “I’m going to shoot you.”
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More video of the downtown Minneapolis fatal crash.
GRAPHIC. pic.twitter.com/WjYIxQcBow— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) September 14, 2024
A witness to the crash followed Margalli out of downtown and into north Minneapolis, where police caught up with her and placed her under arrest, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara described in a Saturday press briefing.
During a press conference held on Tuesday, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said that Margalli’s actions were “intentional” and that’s why she was charged with second-degree intentional murder. Moriarty contrasted the charge against the third-degree murder charges filed against Steven Bailey two weeks ago in the Park Tavern crash in St. Louis Park that killed two people and injured several others, emphasizing that Margalli allegedly “intended to use her vehicle to kill the people that she ran into and over.” Moriarty also stated that her office didn’t have information yet about any substance or alcohol use by Margalli, but also stated that it wouldn’t make a difference in their charging decision.
Margalli is being held in Hennepin County Jail on $1.5 million bail and is scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday.
Minnesota court records show Margalli was just convicted in March in Washington County for driving after suspension. The Star Tribune reported that Minnesota Department of Public Safety officials confirmed that Margalli’s license was suspended at the time of the crash.
Margalli also has a history of other driving-related convictions, plus a conviction for fifth-degree assault. In the 2021 assault case, Margalli was originally charged with first-degree assault involving her sister, who was age 14 at the time. The victim told police that Margalli had punched her in the head multiple times, threw her on the floor, and then kicked and stomped her until she lost consciousness. Margalli was still attacking the victim when she regained consciousness. The victim was hospitalized and diagnosed with a dissected carotid artery as a result of the assault. The charge against Margalli was eventually amended down to fifth-degree assault, and Margalli was sentenced to eight days of community service and was placed on probation by Hennepin County Judge Julie Allyn.
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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.
