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Hate crime charges in connection to St. Louis Park school fights
New charges of riot and assault motivated by bias allege three African American adults targeted Somali students in brawls inside and outside the high school.
ST. LOUIS PARK, Minn. — When Latoys Milon, 41, sat down with KARE 11 News along with her 16-year daughter for an interview last week, the pair said the high school junior was “jumped” by a fellow student over a personal beef, leading to fights in the St. Louis Park High School hallway and outside in the parking lot.
School officials canceled classes for all students Friday as they worked to find out exactly what happened.
Now, according to a criminal complaint, video evidence contradicted Milon’s claims, and in fact, her 19-year-old son Jerome Smith was involved in the initial altercation. Jerome Smith, his 22-year-old sister Abreeha, and Milon — who are African American — are now all charged with fourth-degree assault motivated by bias against Somali students as well as third-degree riot.
When Milon arrived at St. Louis Park High School at 2:14 p.m. on Jan. 18, she claimed her daughter was jumped by multiple Somali females. While speaking with the assistant principal and St. Louis Park officer Stanikka Alcantara, Milon allegedly began threatening students. The complaint says body camera footage captured her saying:
- “Ya’ll one of ‘em? Girl I swear to God all y’all finna get it!”
- “I’ll fight any Somali that comes down those stairs, bro.”
- “These Somalians think they running s***, but they met their match.”
Also in the criminal complaint:
Milon and her family started attacking Somali students outside the high school, punching, stomping and choking them.
One victim, who said he was confused why the group targeted him other than that he was Somali, told police he thought he was going to lose consciousness after the group jumped him and began hitting.
Regarding the initial fight within the school, which Milon claimed her 16-year-old daughter was targeted, surveillance video showed the high school junior voluntarily entering the fight at one point and throwing punches at another girl.
The charges are gross misdemeanors charged by the St. Louis Park city attorney. The family is not in custody.
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MINNEAPOLIS — No matter how you celebrate the holidays, El Sazon Cocina and Tragos has the seasonal flavors to make it even better.
The restaurant is known for its authentic Latin and Mexican dishes and is located at 5309 Lyndale Ave. S in Minneapolis. Some of its new specialty cocktails include gingerbread, mint, cider and traditional Mexican flavors.
If you’re hungry, El Sazon offers tacos, bowls, enchiladas and more. Cristian de Leon, chef and owner, and Zoilo Ruacho, mixologist and owner, visited KARE 11 News at Noon to share a few of these specialty seasonal items.
MINNEAPOLIS — No matter how you celebrate the holidays, El Sazon Cocina and Tragos has the seasonal flavors to make it even better.
The restaurant is known for its authentic Latin and Mexican dishes and is located at 5309 Lyndale Ave. S in Minneapolis. Some of its new specialty cocktails include gingerbread, mint, cider and traditional Mexican flavors.
If you’re hungry, El Sazon offers tacos, bowls, enchiladas and more. Cristian de Leon, chef and owner, and Zoilo Ruacho, mixologist and owner, visited KARE 11 News at Noon to share a few of these specialty seasonal items.
Sergeant Tony Bryand spent 10 months in the Middle East, and never got to see his stepdaughter perform – until Saturday
CHANHASSEN, Minn. — Few things match the mystery of the theater or the warmth that comes from the holidays. At the Chanhassen Dinner Theatres, that warmth was easy to spot Saturday night.
Hundreds gathered to watch the musical White Christmas, but for one person, the show wasn’t the most important part of their evening.
It was who would be there.
“Me and her have had a really good bond since I’ve came into her life,” Sergeant Tony Bryand said.
Sgt. Bryand has been away on deployment in Kuwait for the last 10 months, returning home just in time for the holidays. On stage, his stepdaughter, nine-year-old Jenalia, plays Susan Waverly.
“Me being gone is a big change, really hard on her,” Sgt. Bryand said, choking up. “Hard on me.”
During the preshow announcement, emcee Nancy Nelson walked out, set to announce the start of the show.
Instead, she was interrupted by Jenalia.
“On behalf of the theater, Nancy, we would all like to thank you for all you do!” Jenalia said, surprising Nancy.
“You should have them, and I know someone who wants to give them to you, darling,” Nelson said in response. “Turn around!”
In front of the crowd, Jenalia turned and saw Sgt. Bryand, running into his arms, reuniting the two after months apart.
“He has not seen her on this stage, in this show, but he will tonight!” Nelson said while the two embraced.
Sgt. Bryand sat and watched his stepdaughter perform during the show, the nerves he had conquered, and now reunited for the holidays.
“Gonna give her a memory, gonna give us a memory that we’ll never forget,” he said.
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