In a significant development, a teen suspect has been taken into custody and is now facing seven felony charges in connection with a mass shooting at a punk show in south Minneapolis that took place eight months ago. Dominic James Burris, who recently turned 18, appeared in juvenile court on Tuesday, where he was charged with aiding and abetting second-degree intentional murder and six counts of felony assault with a firearm.

Another teen, whose identity remains sealed due to a warrant issued on April 12, also faces similar charges but is currently not in custody, and his whereabouts are unknown. The authorities were able to identify and arrest Burris after DNA testing of a cigarette butt found at the crime scene led to his identification.

Eyewitnesses to the tragic incident reported seeing the teens fleeing from the DIY punk venue Nudieland, where a show and birthday party were taking place on August 11. Gunfire erupted at around 10:15 p.m., causing the death of 35-year-old Nicholas "August" Golden and injuring six others. The charges filed against Burris indicate that the shooting was motivated by bias towards the victims' gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression, as derogatory epithets were reportedly heard prior to the incident.

Golden, a musician and songwriter who was deeply involved in the Minneapolis punk scene, tragically lost his life that night. Among the other victims, one suffered severe injuries to their torso, requiring the removal of a kidney, while another had a bullet graze their cheek. The victims and Golden's family attended the court hearing, with the victims choosing to remain anonymous and silent, and Golden's family expressing their emotions after the hearing.

During a news conference, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty emphasized the collaborative efforts between senior prosecutors in her office and the Minneapolis police, leading to the charges against Burris. Moriarty acknowledged the impact of the shooting on the LGBTQIA+ community, stating that the tragedy had increased fear among a community that is too often subjected to attacks. At this point, it remains unclear if hateful comments made by the suspects played a role in the crime.

Regarding the possibility of Burris being certified as an adult, Moriarty explained that experts would assess Burris and provide information to prosecutors, who will then determine whether to transfer the case to adult court. Moriarty assured that both Burris and the unidentified suspect would be held accountable, but stressed the importance of considering individual circumstances and the statements of those affected by the tragedy.

According to the charges, Burris and the other suspect interacted with multiple people at the venue before the shooting. Witnesses reported that the teens made insensitive comments and exhibited hostile behavior, with references to firearms as well. After leaving the concert, the suspects were seen walking along a fence in a neighboring yard, where officers later recovered discharged cartridge casings from two different firearms.

Although the search for the second suspect is ongoing, the use of forensic DNA testing has allowed investigators to identify Burris' co-defendant. Police Chief Brian O'Hara expressed his anger at the violence inflicted during the mass shooting, emphasizing his compassion for the victims and their families.

Burris will remain in juvenile detention, with a court appearance scheduled for May 1st to further address the charges against him. As the investigation continues, the Minneapolis punk scene and the LGBTQIA+ community continue to grapple with the aftermath of this tragic event.