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
Elgin Public Schools Teacher Holly Hill Dies From Complications Two Years After Drinking Poisoned Margarita
ELGIN, Okla. — The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI) has launched a formal investigation into the death of Holly Hill, a 30-year-old teacher, wife, and mother from Elgin, Oklahoma, who died last week from long-term medical complications reportedly caused by ingesting a poisoned margarita at a local restaurant in 2023.
OSBI officials confirmed that the investigation began at the request of Comanche County District Attorney Kyle Cabelka following Hill’s death on Thursday.
According to Hill’s family, her health issues began on Valentine’s Day 2023, when she dined at Hacienda Las Margaritas Bar & Grill in Elgin.
During the evening, Hill ordered a second margarita that, unbeknownst to her, contained a highly caustic industrial cleaning chemical rather than the intended cocktail ingredients.
“Her mouth was on fire, and she knew something wasn’t right,” recalled Kelly Hunter, Hill’s mother. “She immediately jumped up and ran to the bathroom, started throwing up, and rinsing her mouth out with water.”
The ingestion caused severe internal burns to Hill’s esophagus and digestive tract, leading to two years of intense medical treatment.
Hill underwent more than 60 medical procedures, including repeated esophageal dilations and surgeries, as doctors attempted to repair the extensive damage.
Despite her deteriorating health, Hill continued teaching at Elgin Public Schools, where she was described as a dedicated educator loved by her students and colleagues.
In the days leading up to her death, Hill’s family believed she was finally recovering.
On October 17, doctors reportedly told them that her esophagus appeared to be healing. However, her condition suddenly worsened, and she went into cardiac arrest as medical staff prepared to transfer her. “As they were trying to get her ready to transport her, they lost her pulse,” Hunter said.
Hill’s family previously filed a civil lawsuit against Hacienda Las Margaritas, which was settled confidentially earlier this year, according to their attorney.
Following her death, the family is renewing calls for accountability and public awareness.
“The number one thing we really want at this point is for people to be aware of what happened at that restaurant and to quit supporting them,” Hunter said. “We want them to be held accountable for taking my daughter’s life. It might have been a long fight, but ultimately, they are the cause.”
The restaurant has not issued a recent public statement regarding Hill’s death. In a 2023 social media post, management wrote:
“We have never walked away from responsibility and will continue to support them in any way possible while our insurance company is on the case.”
Local officials confirmed that Elgin Police requested assistance from OSBI, and investigators are now reviewing evidence related to the original 2023 incident and Hill’s recent death.
In a statement, Elgin Public Schools expressed deep sorrow over Hill’s passing, describing her as “an Owl through and through” and asking the community to keep her family in their thoughts and prayers.
Hill leaves behind her husband and young child, as well as a community still reeling from a tragedy that began with what should have been an ordinary night out.