Three killed as riots continue overnight in Minneapolis

Minneapolis police responded to two homicides early Saturday morning.

A police officer looks on as two dumpster fires fill the Uptown neighborhood with thick smoke in June during riots in response to the shooting of Winston Smith. (Alpha News)

Rioting continued in Minneapolis’ Uptown neighborhood Friday night into Saturday morning in response to the law-enforcement shooting of Winston Boogie Smith.

Smith was shot dead by members of a U.S. Marshals task force on the top level of an Uptown parking ramp Thursday. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said Smith fired his weapon at law enforcement from inside his vehicle. Smith was wanted on a felony firearms violation, the BCA said.

According to Crime Watch Minneapolis, Smith was sentenced to 48 months in prison in October 2018 for aggravated robbery, but his sentence was stayed.

Rioters looted stores and started fires Thursday night in the area where Smith was killed, which continued Friday night into Saturday morning. In one instance, a man was assaulted in the middle of the road and started bleeding from his head.

The man was eventually able to sit up on his own and gave a crowd of bystanders a thumbs up when paramedics hauled him away.

Thick smoke filled the air around 1 a.m. after multiple dumpsters were started on fire. Police made several arrests and towed away cars that were blocking the road.

Preliminary records indicate that 26 people were arrested on probable cause riot charges in Minneapolis throughout the night.

Additionally, Minneapolis police responded to the 35th and 36th homicides of the year early Saturday morning. Metro Transit police also reportedly responded to a homicide, which would bring the total on the year to 37.

 

Anthony Gockowski

Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.