MINNEAPOLIS — Law enforcement was on high alert in Minneapolis over the July 4th holiday and on Saturday officials provided an update to the number of those arrested in the city.
Starting on Wednesday night, police said officers started tracking posts and invitations on social media, inviting people to come to the city to "attack police and others with fireworks."
“I don’t think I have to tell you that throwing fireworks at people is extremely dangerous,” Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara expressed in a press release. “It is dangerous to the people and police officers who were targeted, and it’s dangerous to the people committing these crimes. Two years ago, individuals were permanently scarred from injuries caused by fireworks that were thrown at them. Last year, a young man was seriously injured while attempting to attack another individual with a firework."
Officials described this year's response as "robust," and police reported no one was seriously injured by fireworks. O'Hara thanked all the officers involved in the coordinated effort.
On Saturday morning, police said there were 30 confirmed arrests and five citations. Officials said it was likely that number would increase as reports are completed and reviewed.
Most of the incidents happened in the Dinkytown neighborhood. Officials said the majority of arrests were for felony level PC Riot and/ or Assult 4.
The ages of arrested and cited people ranged from 15 years old to 23 years old.
Police offered a recap of many of the incidents:
- 11:30 p.m. on July 4: A large group of people were throwing fireworks at each other and at vehicles near 4900 Lake Nokomis Parkway. Two adults were cited.
- Just before midnight: Near 14th Street and 4th Avenue South, a group fired fireworks at officers. Four men were arrested and booked.
- Around 12:30 a.m.: People in a vehicle were spotted aiming mortar-style fireworks at pedestrians near the 600 block of 12th Avenue Southeast. An adult and two juveniles were arrested.
- At approximately 1:15 a.m.: A group of men were throwing mortar fireworks at officers near 11th Avenue Southeast and 6th Street Southeast. Two adults and two juveniles were arrested.
- Before 1:30 a.m.: Police saw fireworks being thrown from a vehicle at pedestrians near 11th Avenue Southeast and 4th Street Southeast. Four adults were arrested when police stopped their vehicle.
- Around 1:40 a.m.: A large group was spotted shooting fireworks at people, vehicles and apartment buildings near 12th Avenue Southeast and 6th Avenue Southeast. Police said more than a dozen adults were arrested.
- Closer to 2 a.m.: A group was seen firing mortar rounds and throwing fireworks at police. An 18-year-old man was arrested.
- Nearly an hour later, around 3 a.m.: A group was observed by officers shooting fireworks at squad cars near Cedar Avenue and West Lake Nokomis Parkway. Two adults were arrested.
“I would like to thank the thousands of people who came to Minneapolis last night to celebrate the 4th of July,” O’Hara said. “I hope you had fun. That’s what the holiday is supposed to be about. Fun. It’s too bad I must be talking about being grateful nobody was seriously hurt. I hope you join me and thanking all our law enforcement partners who worked all night to keep the vast majority of people safe.”
Investigations are ongoing and anyone with more information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 612-673-5845.
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