Crime
20-Year-Old Hamza Abdirashid Said Arrested in Connection with Shooting Outside University of Minnesota 3M Arena at Mariucci
MINNEAPOLIS, MN – Authorities have identified the suspect in Friday night’s shooting outside the University of Minnesota’s 3M Arena at Mariucci as Hamza Abdirashid Said, 20.
Said is currently being held on probable cause for second-degree assault following the incident, which left two people injured and disrupted a graduation celebration.
The shooting occurred around 8:20 p.m. on Friday, May 30, in the parking area outside the arena following a graduation ceremony for Wayzata High School.
According to University of Minnesota Interim Police Chief Erik Swanson, two individuals sustained gunshot wounds and were transported by emergency medical services to Hennepin County Medical Center.
One of the victims, a 49-year-old male, suffered a gunshot wound to the head.
The second victim, a 19-year-old male, was shot twice in the thigh.
Both were rushed to the hospital, but as of late Friday evening, the extent of their injuries remained undisclosed.
Authorities are also investigating a report suggesting a possible third injured individual who may have been transported from the scene in a private vehicle.
While the exact circumstances of the shooting are still under investigation, police confirmed that the violence occurred outside the arena, not inside where the graduation event was being held.
Video footage shared by a bystander suggested a large altercation broke out among a group before shots were fired.
University of Minnesota Police are leading the investigation with assistance from the Minneapolis Police Department and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.
Governor Tim Walz addressed the incident via social media, calling the shooting “horrific” and expressing solidarity with the victims. “Horrific news of a shooting near Mariucci Arena during a graduation event tonight – a time of celebration that should never have turned into one of fear and sadness,” Walz wrote. He added that his office is coordinating with the University of Minnesota and local authorities, emphasizing that “the state stands ready to help in any way we can.”
At this time, Hamza Abdirashid Said remains in custody as investigators work to determine the motive and full scope of the incident.
Police are encouraging anyone with information, video footage, or firsthand knowledge of the event to contact the University of Minnesota Police Department.
Further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.
Crime
Venezuelan national Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis shot in the leg by an immigration agent in Minneapolis
On January 14, 2025, federal law enforcement personnel were engaged in a targeted enforcement operation involving Julio Cesar Sosa-Celis, a Venezuelan national who has been present in the United States since 2022.
The operation escalated into a high-speed pursuit, a physical confrontation, and an ambush by multiple subjects, necessitating the use of a defensive firearm discharge by a federal agent.
At approximately 6:50 PM, federal officers initiated a targeted traffic stop of a vehicle operated by Sosa-Celis.
The subject refused to comply with law enforcement commands and attempted to flee the scene.
During the pursuit, the subject’s vehicle collided with a stationary, parked car.
Following the collision, the subject abandoned the vehicle and fled the scene on foot.
A federal agent pursued the suspect on foot and successfully intercepted him. As the agent attempted to effect an arrest, the subject became combative, resulting in a violent struggle on the ground.
During this confrontation, two additional male subjects emerged from a nearby residence to intervene.
These individuals reportedly ambushed the agent, utilizing a snow shovel and a broom handle to strike the officer.
The situation escalated when the primary suspect, Sosa-Celis, regained his footing and joined the two additional subjects in the assault.
Reports indicate the suspect struck the agent with a blunt object (identified as either the shovel or broom handle).
Citing an immediate threat to his life while being outnumbered and actively assaulted by three individuals, the agent discharged his service weapon in self-defense.
The discharge struck Sosa-Celis in the lower extremity (leg). Following the shot, all three suspects retreated into a nearby apartment complex and initiated a barricade situation.
Following a brief standoff, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) successfully secured the perimeter and apprehended all three individuals without further injury.
Both the federal agent and Sosa-Celis were transported to a local medical facility for treatment.
Images from the scene showed Sosa-Celis conscious and alert during transport.
All three subjects involved in the assault are currently in the custody of ICE.
Further charges related to the assault on a federal officer and resisting arrest are pending review by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.