MINNEAPOLIS — Editor's note: The video above first aired July 5, 2024.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office started rolling out charges Monday for people accused of causing and participating in a chaotic Fourth of July celebration near the University of Minnesota.
Five young men have been charged so far. One of those individuals, identified as 20-year-old Abdihakim Aden, was charged with second-degree riot with a dangerous weapon and fleeing police after prosecutors said Aden aimed fireworks at on-duty officers. Charging documents show Aden has at least 16 codefendants.
Four more men were charged with second-degree riot with a dangerous weapon including 22-year-olds Abdifatah Aden Bare and Sharif Jimale, and 21-year-olds Ahmed Ilyas Dudeyeh and Zakaria Esmael Umar.
The attorney's office told KARE 11 later Monday that it expects to charge at least 20 with second-degree riot.
"Twenty adults will be charged with second-degree riot for the incidents occurring over the Fourth of July weekend. Review of the incidents are ongoing to determine if other individuals will face charges. The office worked closely with law enforcement partners throughout the entire holiday weekend and will continue to do so.
The office spokesperson added, "Misdemeanor charges stemming from these incidents have been referred to the City Attorney's Office."
According to the criminal complaint, Minneapolis police were on patrol in the Dinkytown neighborhood as part of a large-scale safety operation in response to past “riotous” July 4 celebrations in the city. The complaint said this year, groups of hundreds of people were cleared from an initial gathering in Dinkytown before officers learned of a second gathering place near 12th Avenue Southeast and 6th Street Southeast, also allegedly boasting hundreds of people.
Court documents said drone footage showed the gathering lasted a “significant period of time,” as police reported some of those present began shooting “commercial-grade fireworks," not only into the air, but toward people, vehicles, and eventually, uniformed officers. The complaint goes on to say an officer claimed to have seen a minor making a throwing motion with a lit mortar before allegedly releasing the mortar in the direction of police.
The complaint said an officer reported feeling a sharp and burning pain on his body after the mortar rolled underneath a vehicle and exploded.
According to prosecutors, officers then moved in and announced they’d make arrests. The complaint said some people fled on foot to avoid being cited, but at least 17 people were located and taken into custody.
Some have since been released and are awaiting formal charges.
This is a developing story. More information will be added as it becomes available.
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