Large groups of juveniles roamed the streets of Minneapolis Tuesday night into Wednesday morning, launching fireworks and causing uncontrollable chaos on the streets. Up to 500 individuals were roaming around at one point as police ordered them to disperse and go home, according to Crime Watch Minneapolis.
Now 500 people by Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska with "heavy mortars" being thrown at people and squads.
Per police in the area.
00:05— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) July 5, 2023
Independent photojournalist Rebecca Brannon captured several videos of the Fourth of July chaos.
Lake Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska
MPD tells group in black ski masks to go home – an officer shoves one:
“Get out of here! You guys are out here terrorizing people.”#Minneapolis pic.twitter.com/pFLTXnae6h
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) July 5, 2023
Boom Island, Minneapolis:
Hundreds set off a war zone of fireworks shooting at people and vehicles – behind and all around me.
One person even started shooting roman candles at me while I filmed. pic.twitter.com/q1y28Zcl14
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) July 5, 2023
Brannon reported that fireworks were shot at residents and homes in East Bde Maka Ska for an hour until police arrived.
Fireworks shot at residents and homes in East Bde Maka Ska (Lake Calhoun) for over an hour before police arrive.
This was just one block on 36th Street taken over by large groups where mayhem broke out. #Minneapolis pic.twitter.com/GBy00MO4bt
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) July 5, 2023
The night’s lawlessness injured several, with one resident saying she turned on her lawn sprinklers because she feared a fire would break out because of the fireworks.
Scroll back. Utter chaos overnight. Cops overwhelmed and outnumbered by mobs of up to 500 shooting fireworks at cops, civilians, homes, and vehicles in Dinkytown, the Mill District, Boom Island, Elsies, south Mpls Lakes. Also several shootings including at least one homicide.
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) July 5, 2023
Woman near Lake Calhoun/Bde Maka Ska told me large groups shot fireworks at her and other residents.
She had out on sprinklers to prevent fires and showed me her wounds. pic.twitter.com/glpdlziL1i
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) July 5, 2023
A young man received a large abdominal wound, requiring medical assistance. When the police officer responding walked up to the man, he asked, “Firework or bullet?”
Minneapolis:
Large mortar firework is thrown into a crowd while an injured person lays on the ground with a serious wound to his stomach.
I had to call 911. pic.twitter.com/RWOroPmgkS
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) July 5, 2023
More videos captured additional chaos throughout the city as police attempted to regain control.
Minneapolis, Boom Island:
A scene of chaos as police worked to disperse hundreds after 1AM
Many ran away – noticed a lot dressed in black or wearing masks. No mass arrests. All these vehicles seen were part of the group moving across the city throughout the night.#July4th pic.twitter.com/8srQXXBYys
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) July 5, 2023
Near Lake Calhoun. pic.twitter.com/msZ26su0aZ
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) July 5, 2023
It did not appear as though the police made any mass arrests of the hundreds of individuals terrorizing the residents of Minneapolis, according to Brannon.
Nokomis Lake, Minneapolis:
3AM Vehicle blocked in by MPD – an officer told me they had found a firearm inside along with illegal fireworks.
This was after the rest of roving group of juveniles dispersed (had then gone to Minnehaha Falls) pic.twitter.com/lhrMAblGq9
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) July 5, 2023
Brannon said the individuals roamed the streets until at least 3 a.m.
Lake Nokomis and Minnehaha Falls 3AM:
Hundreds, mostly juveniles, moved in a car caravan across the city shooting fireworks at each other and other vehicles. #Minneapolis pic.twitter.com/QxfDU0zK4y
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) July 5, 2023
Other videos appeared to show juveniles launching fireworks at a police car.
Fireworks launched at Minneapolis police on the Fourth of July pic.twitter.com/HhCPpZpUIe
— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) July 5, 2023
This is a developing story.
Hayley Feland
Hayley Feland previously worked as a journalist with The Minnesota Sun, The Wisconsin Daily Star, and The College Fix. She is a Minnesota native with a passion for politics and journalism.
