Man Charged in Rapid-Fire Handgun Shooting Outside University of Minnesota Arena
ICARO Media Group
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A 20-year-old man stands accused of firing a rapid-fire handgun, wounding two individuals outside the University of Minnesota’s Mariucci Arena just after Wayzata High School's graduation ceremony concluded. Hamza Abdirashid Said of Coon Rapids faces charges in Hennepin County District Court, including first- and second-degree assault and illegal gun possession, following the incident that occurred around 8 p.m. on Saturday.
The charges detail that the handgun used by Said, a Glock 17, had been illegally modified with a "switch," a device enabling the firearm to discharge multiple rounds with a single trigger pull. Said remains held on $300,000 bail ahead of a court appearance scheduled for Tuesday afternoon. Court documents did not mention an attorney representing him.
The charges did not specify a motive, but mentioned that several males were involved in a confrontation prior to the shooting. Wayzata schools' Superintendent Chace B. Anderson released a statement stating no confirmed connection between the shooter or one of the victims and the graduation ceremony. Investigators have yet to determine whether Said attended the ceremony before the incident, according to the charges.
On the night of the shooting, a 49-year-old man was struck in the head while standing outside the arena with his family. Despite his injuries, this victim was able to describe a fight occurring nearby before he heard gunshots and tried to flee with his family. The second victim, a 19-year-old, was shot in the leg. Both victims are expected to survive.
Campus police responded swiftly to reports of gunshots. Surveillance footage from the university captured Said and several other males running away from the arena’s entrance. Said was seen lifting his black gown, drawing a handgun, and firing multiple shots in the direction of the 19-year-old victim, causing people nearby to scatter. After the shooting, Said was observed discarding the firearm and his gown in separate locations near Williams Arena before police apprehended him on foot.
Mariucci Arena regularly hosts graduation ceremonies for Twin Cities high schools and has several more scheduled in the coming days.