Minneapolis police made several arrests following fireworks chaos in Dinkytown on Thursday night. The Fourth of July celebrations took a dangerous turn as people began shooting fireworks at others, vehicles, and buildings. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara confirmed during a Friday press conference that, fortunately, no one was seriously injured.
Emily Schoon, an employee at Mesa Pizza, witnessed the chaos firsthand. “I’ve seen a lot of crazy stuff here just from working here a couple of months, but I haven’t seen anybody try to injure another person with fireworks yet,” she said. Schoon noted that while not everyone was actively shooting fireworks, many were contributing to the problem by gathering in response to social media, creating an audience for the dangerous behavior.
Chief O’Hara expressed his frustration over the situation. “It’s ridiculous that our residents and other people visiting our town have to deal with this egregious behavior,” he said. To address the issue, Minneapolis police had over 200 additional officers on duty, supported by Ramsey County deputies, Minneapolis Park Police, University of Minnesota Police, and State Patrol.
Erin Brumm, a member of the board of directors for the local non-profit Campus Safety Coalition, echoed O’Hara’s concerns. “When you’ve got 100 people coming into Dinkytown to do nothing but wreak havoc and cause harm, it’s a real problem,” she said. The group was formed in response to ongoing crime concerns near the University of Minnesota.
Minneapolis police reported making thirty arrests and issuing five citations overnight. “These numbers will likely increase,” O’Hara said, noting that multiple agencies were involved in the operation and reports were still being compiled. Of those arrested, 27 were adults and eight were juveniles, with ages ranging from mid-teens to early twenties. O’Hara mentioned that many of those involved were from outside Minneapolis, with some even coming from other states like Kansas, Massachusetts, and Maine.
Ben Lefebvre, who watched the chaos unfold from his apartment window, described the unsettling experience. “I was on the sixth floor, so it’s kind of concerning to have fireworks come up that high,” he said. “We had one come a little too close for comfort from the window. And again, those mortars sort of shook the building — they’re big. They’re kind of like grenades.”
Charges are being considered, with potential charges for rioting and assault for those who deliberately targeted individuals with explosives. “We need to actually have some laws on the books and we need prosecutors that are going to prosecute the people that are doing this and put them in jail,” Brumm said. Night-time park and public space closures will continue throughout the weekend.
Ahead of the Fourth of July holiday, Chief O’Hara had announced a heavier police presence and warned that officers would act if anyone threatened the safety or property of others. Despite the mayhem, O’Hara noted that this year’s July 4th was overall less chaotic than previous years. “It’s not as bad as last year and the problems we’ve been seeing are over here [in] Dinkytown on the east side of the river,” he said.
KARE 11 photographer David Peterlinz was in Dinkytown Thursday night and spoke with O’Hara after a group threw a mortar in his direction at an intersection. “I was standing at the intersection one block over, there were a couple of troopers with us … and a group ran up from behind us and threw a large mortar at us landing in the street a couple feet away,” O’Hara recounted. The explosion “shook” his body, he added.
O’Hara emphasized the importance of addressing the issue of out-of-towners coming to Minneapolis to create viral videos and cause disruptions. “These are out-of-towners, not people from Minneapolis, coming here and disrupting our residents’ lives,” he said. He also highlighted the efforts of more than 200 extra law enforcement officials who were part of a “robust plan” to keep residents safe, a plan that will continue as Minneapolis hosts events like Taste of Minnesota.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is reviewing all cases submitted for potential charges. A spokesperson stated, “The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is reviewing all cases that have been submitted to our office related to last night’s incidents in Minneapolis for potential charging. We received case submissions for 17 adults and two youth arrested overnight, and all are under review.”
Despite the challenges, O’Hara expressed gratitude for the dedication of law enforcement officers. “I really have to say, I’m extremely thankful to Minneapolis police officers, the state troopers that were out here, all the cops that were out here for 12-plus hours, away from their family again on the holiday in just very dangerous conditions,” he said.
In comparison, 16 people were arrested for fireworks incidents in 2023, with 11 of those being juveniles. The ongoing efforts to maintain order and safety in Minneapolis continue as the city navigates the aftermath of the Fourth of July chaos.
Source: CBS Minnesota, KARE 11, FOX 9
