July 6, 2024 (Minneapolis) On Friday afternoon, July 5^th, 2024, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara provided comments outlining the activities and results by law enforcement in Minneapolis over the 4^th of July holiday.

“The fireworks show, Red, White and Boom, returned last night to Minneapolis,” began Chief O’Hara, “and that’s the good news. The bad news is that groups of juveniles and young adults were also back at it —- attacking police and others with fireworks.” 

Starting Wednesday night, MPD tracked social media and found invitations on social platforms. Those invitations encouraged people to come to Minneapolis and commit these egregious, dangerous, and frankly idiotic acts.    

 “I don’t think I have to tell you that throwing fireworks at people is extremely dangerous,” O’Hara expressed.  “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.

 The law enforcement response this year was robust, and no one was seriously injured during last night’s attacks.  Chief O’Hara thanked MPD’s law enforcement partners, “I am thankful to the Minnesota State Patrol, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, the Minneapolis Park Police, and the University of Minnesota Police.  Through a coordinated effort, dozens of arrests or citations related to illegal firework activity were made and illegal fireworks were recovered.”    

Most of the incidents occurred in the Dinkytown area.  The majority of the arrests were for felony level PC Riot and/or Assault 4.

At this point, there are 30 confirmed arrests and 5 citations. That number will likely increase as reports are completed and reviewed.

Ages of arrested and cited individuals ranged from 15 to 23.

Investigations will continue.  Investigators will identify and charge as many as possible who were not arrested last night.   Anyone with specific information about an individual who participated are asked to contact Crime Stoppers, policetips@minneapolismn.gov, or leave a voicemail at the Minneapolis Police Tip Line  - 612-673-5845.  

“I would like to thank the thousands of people who came to Minneapolis last night to celebrate the 4^th 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.” 

A synopsis of most of the incidents:

At approximately 11:30 PM on July 4^th, a large group of people were throwing fireworks at each other and at vehicles near the 4900 block of Lake Nokomis Parkway.  Two adults were cited.  24-183353

Just before midnight, near 14^th St and 4^th Av S, a group was firing fireworks at officers.  4 adult males were arrested and booked. 24-183336

At approximately 0031 hours, occupants of a vehicle driving through the area were seen by officers aiming mortar style fireworks at pedestrians near the 600 block of 12^th Ave SE.  An adult and two juveniles were arrested. 24-183455

At approximately 0115 hours, a group of males were throwing mortar fireworks at officers near 11TH AVE SE & 6TH ST SE. Two adults and two juveniles were arrested. 24-183503

At approximately 0125 hours, officers saw fireworks being thrown out of a vehicle by the occupants at pedestrians near 11TH AVE SE / 4TH ST SE. Officers stopped the vehicle and arrested 4 adults. 24-183481

At approximately 0141 hours, a large group was seen by officers shooting fireworks at people, vehicles, and apartment buildings around 12^th Ave SE/6^th Ave SE.  More than a dozen adults were arrested. 24-183501

At approximately 0200 hours, a group was seen throwing fireworks at police officers and firing mortar rounds. One eighteen-year-old male was arrested. 24-183519

At approximately 0300 hours, near Cedar Ave and W Lake Nokomis Parkway, a group was observed by officers shooting fireworks at squads.  Two adults were arrested. 24-183552

Statistics:

Arrested – Ages ranged from 15 to 23.

·       5 Females

·       30 Males

·       27 Adults

·       8    Juveniles

·       22 Adult Males

·       5  Adult Females

·       8  Juvenile Males

Links to videos depicting the dangerous behavior around Dinkytown:

https://youtu.be/b_mEbT4SLKk - In the upper right portion of the screen, an explosive firework is thrown near Minnesota State Troopers, MPD Officers, and passing traffic.

https://youtu.be/xgVTYQFSD-k - An explosive firework is thrown into traffic and explodes as traffic passes. Pedestrians and police were in the area.

https://youtu.be/0lwSjhI0geU - An explosive firework is thrown into the roadway next to a squad and explodes as a vehicle passes.

https://youtu.be/esSoStu2974 - Off screen: While giving dispersal orders to a disruptive group, explosive fireworks were thrown at officers. On screen: Including Chief O'Hara, officers identified, chased, caught, and arrested some of the individuals involved.

7-5-2024 – 2 p.m. Press Conference

https://youtu.be/DarFK6IfyJ4