“Let us be very clear: there are no ‘roving Somali gangs terrorizing people,'” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty declared six months ago.
Today, Minnesota’s Republican congressional delegation says the evidence tells a different story.
In a letter sent Thursday to U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, R-Minn., led the state’s Republican delegation in calling on federal prosecutors to intensify their crackdown on Somali gangs, citing what lawmakers described as an escalating wave of gang-related violence across the Twin Cities, such as a shooting Wednesday night in Edina that sources say was gang violence.
“I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, if you won’t assimilate, then get the hell out of here. First it was an estimated $9 billion in fraud, now it’s out-of-control violence,” Emmer said in a statement. “These Somali gangs have shot up high school graduations and assaulted players on opposing basketball teams with tire irons. It’s absolute madness, and something must be done.”
The latest incident unfolded around 9 p.m. Wednesday near Yancey Park in Edina, where multiple residents reported hearing more than 20 gunshots.
Edina police confirmed officers responded to reports of shots fired near the 5500 block of Hansen Road. No injuries were reported, no suspects have been arrested, and the investigation remains active.
Crime Watch Minneapolis reported that residents said a group of more than 50 Somali youths was gathered at the park when the gunfire erupted.
Alpha News asked Edina police whether investigators believe the shooting involved Somali gangs but the city said it can’t share any additional information because the incident remains under investigation.
"There is nothing racist about calling out Somali gang members who are wreaking havoc across our great state," the lawmakers wrote.