MINNEAPOLIS — Editor’s note: The video above first aired July 5, 2024.

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office started rolling out charges Monday for people accused of causing and participating in a chaotic Fourth of July celebration near the University of Minnesota.

Four young men have been charged so far. One of those individuals, identified as 20-year-old Abdhakim Aden, was charged with second-degree riot with a dangerous weapon and fleeing police after prosecutors said Aden aimed fireworks at on-duty officers. Charging documents show Aden has at least 16 codefendants.

Three more men were charged with second-degree riot with a dangerous weapon including 22-year-old Abdifatah Aden Bare, 21-year-old Ahmed Ilyas Dudeyeh and 22-year-old Sharif Jimale.

According to the criminal complaint, Minneapolis police were on patrol in the Dinkytown neighborhood as part of a large-scale safety operation in response to past “riotous” July 4 celebrations in the city. The complaint said this year, groups of hundreds of people were cleared from an initial gathering in Dinkytown before officers learned of a second gathering place near 12th Avenue Southeast and 6th Street Southeast, also allegedly boasting hundreds of people.

Court documents said drone footage showed the gathering lasted a “significant period of time,” as police reported some of those present began shooting “commercial-grade fireworks, not only into the air, but toward people, vehicles, and eventually, uniformed officers.” The complaint goes on to say an officer claimed to have seen a minor making a throwing motion with a lit mortar before allegedly releasing the mortar in the direction of police.

The complaint said an officer reported feeling a sharp and burning pain on his body after the mortar rolled underneath a vehicle and exploded.

According to prosecutors, officers moved in and announced they’d make arrests. The complaint said some people fled on foot to avoid being cited, but at least 17 people were located and taken into custody.

Some have since been released and are awaiting formal charges.

This is a developing story. More information will be added as it becomes available.

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ST PAUL, Minn. — Editor’s note: The video above first aired on May 21, 2024.

More than 18,500 people took the Borealis train to Chicago in its first month in service, according to new information released by Amtrak Midwest Monday.

The route, which begins in St. Paul and makes its final stop in Chicago, carried about 300 passengers per train, both ways, on each trip, according to Amtrak.

“Amtrak and our state partners have always believed the Twin Cities-Milwaukee-Chicago corridor was a great one with tremendous opportunity,” said Ray Lang, vice president of Amtrak State Supported Service, in a statement. “The ridership numbers we have seen so far confirm our belief and we expect this trend to continue as the service matures and we head into the peak summer travel season.”

Borealis offers amenities like Wi-Fi and cafe service for its 7-hour-and-24-minute duration and tickets start at $41. Deals and discounts for children ages 2-12; students; seniors; veterans; military personnel and families; and groups are also available.

“The number of rides in the first month clearly demonstrates the need for this route,” said Nancy Daubenberger, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT). “We are optimistic numbers will remain strong and the Borealis service will continue to provide a safe, sustainable and accessible transportation option.

For more information about Borealis and how to book your ticket, visit Amtrak’s website.

Download the free KARE 11+ app for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV and other smart TV platforms to watch more from KARE 11 anytime! The KARE 11+ app includes live streams of all of KARE 11’s newscasts. You’ll also find on-demand replays of newscasts; the latest from KARE 11 Investigates, Breaking the News and the Land of 10,000 Stories; exclusive programs like Verify and HeartThreads; and Minnesota sports talk from our partners at Locked On Minnesota. 

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