Latest news with #NorthMinneapolis
CBS News
22-07-2025
- CBS News
1 injured in north Minneapolis shooting that stemmed from robbery, police say; no arrests
Minneapolis police are investigating after a man was injured in a north Minneapolis shooting Monday afternoon. Officers responded to the shooting on the 4600 block of Colfax Avenue North around 3:42 p.m. Police, while investigating, found a man injured on the 4500 block of Lyndale Avenue North. Investigators say he had driven himself to that area after he was shot. The man was taken to the hospital with a "potentially life-threatening" injury, according to police. Officials say the shooting stemmed from a robbery, and two males left the scene before officers arrived. Details surrounding the robbery weren't immediately known. No arrests have been made.
CBS News
04-07-2025
- Business
- CBS News
Summer camp hopes to give young Black entrepreneurs pathway into industry
Summer camp is not just for athletics and the arts. Some young entrepreneurs will be attending the first annual Youth Business Camp next week. African Americans make up 14% of the population in Minnesota but own only 2% of businesses. LeBrent Speed is on a mission to change that statistic. "We need to give people something they can support," said Speed, who founded the Better Black Business Project, or B3P. "B3 it is a professional network of Black entrepreneurs and those who support them. It's open to anyone, but our focus is how do we support Black entrepreneurs and close the wealth gap by empowering Black businesses," Speed said. With 120 members, the group of entrepreneurs is supporting one another with great success. But Speed had a larger vision. "I grew up in north Minneapolis and I thought man it would have been wonderful to have a business camp when other kids were going to basketball camps so that's spawn the idea,"Speed said. With his network of business owners, he organized a youth business camp to help empower future — and even current — young entrepreneurs. "We have over 15 presenters on a variety of subjects: credit, finances, real estate, trades but then we have another 15 to 20 volunteers who will just be there with them going through the courses with them, eating lunch and breakfast with them just hanging out sharing stories, information access and mentorship," Speed said. The camp is a game changer for attendee and business owner, Ella Beard. "I started my LLC at around 2020 when I was around 10 or 11 years old, so I've been painting for about 5 years now," said Beard, who owns Vibe Art. In those five years, Beard has grown her business by letting her talent speak for itself. "I do all types of paintings. I do a lot of realistic Black art, I do landscapes, trees, mountains, and just inspiring paintings," said Beard. "I have an online website which is I do sell my art there I also go to markets sometimes like winter festivals pop ups markets like Juneteenth or I usually go to Black Market Minneapolis." Now she hopes to take her business to the next level by attending the Youth Business Camp. "I'm hoping to learn about investment and just growing and putting back into my business and just grow it and being surrounded by encouraging people like youth entrepreneurs like me to just help grow me, Beard said. Speed says the speakers and mentors will shift mindsets, build character and prepare them to walk in purpose and power. "I want them to take away the hope knowing that they can do it it's hard to believe what you can't see," said Speed. For this young artist and business owner, the youth Summer Camp is a pathway to realizing her dreams. "My dreams are to get my art all around the world have it in famous people's houses, celebrities' houses and homes just to expand worldwide," Beard says. The Youth Business Camp will be held at Bethel University July 9 through July 11. There are still slots available as well as room for sponsors willing to help make sure every young person who wants to attend can. You can learn more at youth camp here.
The Sun
15-06-2025
- Politics
- The Sun
Minnesota ‘assassin' Vance Boelter's best friend reveals haunting text gunman sent after he ‘killed Melissa Hortman'
THE best friend and roommate of the suspected Minnesota assassin revealed the final chilling text he received from the alleged killer. Suspected gunman Vance Boelter is believed to have killed Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband at their home while disguised as a police officer, according to cops. 15 15 15 15 The killer also seriously injured Senator John Hoffman and his wife at their residence in Champlin just hours before, early on Saturday morning. The alleged shooter's friend, David Carlson, has now detailed his childhood pal's final goodbye message, according to KARE. Reading his text messages with Boelter, Carlson said: 'David and Ron, I love you guys. "I made some choices, and you guys don't know anything about this, but I'm going to be gone for a while. "May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn't gone this way." Footage showed the suspected political assassin's friend read the eerie messages in front of his home in North Minneapolis. He continued to read the texts: "I don't want to say anything more and implicate you in any way because you guys don't know anything about this. "But I love you guys and I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused." Fearing his friend may have done something to harm himself, Carlson immediately called the cops. The 59-year-old, who met Boelter, 57, all the way back in fourth grade, was shocked at the prospect that his friend could have carried out the ruthless killings. 'He wasn't a hateful person,' Carlson said. He added: 'But he needed help.' The haunting texts were revealed after the accused killer's wife was detained following a dramatic traffic stop - before cops said they found weapons and passports in her car. Jenny Boetler was stopped by police while driving with several relatives near Onamia, Minnesota, on Saturday at around 10am, according to KTSP. 15 15 15 15 In the car she also had cash and ammunition, local cops said, adding that the wife was also held for questioning but not arrested. It is currently unclear whether the Boetlers lived together - since Vance is understood to have lived at a residence in Camden, Minnesota. The couple are understood to have joint-ran Praetorian Guard Security Services, a Minnesota-based security company. Their website says: 'Here to set up security options and provide security services right to your doorstep and property to keep what you own safe and secure." The site also says that Boelter had experience working with "security situations" across Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East. Online biographies also showed he was the CEO of Red Lion Group - which is based in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Additionally, he is said to have worked with Minnesota Africans United - a local organization working with African immigrants in the state. 2022 footage showed Boelter speaking about Red Lion Group's ventures in the DRC, claiming to have business ventures there in fishing, farming, media, security, and motorcycle-taxis. Last month, his online profiles said he was open to work. Boelter's longtime pal Carlson seemingly confirmed his search for work, and added that his friend was experiencing financial trouble, according to CNN. 15 15 15 Carlson said: 'He was looking around, but maybe things didn't work out and he just gave up and decided to go out in a blaze of glory. "I have no idea what he was thinking." Boelter was twice appointed to Minnesota government by different Democratic governors. In 2016 then Governor Mark Dayton appointed Boelter to the Workforce Development Council. Later in 2019, current Governor Tim Walz enlisted him to serve a four-year stint on the Workforce Development Board, according to documents. Despite his work under Walz, Carlson revealed that Boelter had voted for Donald Trump at the last election. The security services worker also last registered to vote in 2022 as a Republican, according to the New York Post. FBI announces $50k reward for arrest and conviction The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Vance L. Boelter, the suspect in Saturday's targeted shootings of Minnesota lawmakers and their families in Champlin and Brooklyn Park. Anyone with information about these shootings or Boelter's location should call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) tip line at 877-996-6222 or email The public is asked to call 911 immediately if they see Boelter. Do not approach him. The FBI, BCA, Brooklyn Park Police Department and Champlin Police Department along with other local and state law enforcement officials continue searching for Boelter. Source: Minnesota Department of Public Safety Carlson added that he wasn't aware of what Boelter's political leanings on state politics were, however. He also shared that Boetler was also strongly anti-abortion - but not in a way that could have motivated him to kill. 'It wasn't the thing that defined him,' Carlson said. 'I mean, it wasn't his total existence. He would talk about other things.' Boelter lived at Carlson's home in North Minneapolis just a few days a week, according to the roommate. He explained how Boelter was not at the residence at the time officers executed a search warrant on Saturday. 15 15 Cops were called to Senator Hoffman's home at 2:08am on Saturday and responded to Rep. Hortman's home at 3:35am — where they exchanged gunfire with the suspect. The shooter was seen on home security footage released by the FBI outside one of the victim's homes, wearing a fake police uniform and an eerie latex mask. As cops launched an extensive manhunt for the killer who is still at large, they named 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter as a suspect in the shootings. He should be considered armed and dangerous and the public should not approach him, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has warned. A $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction has been announced by the FBI. A motive has not been released by cops, but the shootings come as millions take to the streets as part of the anti-Trump No Kings movement as the President holds a military parade in Washington DC. "We don't have any direct links, however there were some fliers that said 'No Kings' within the suspect vehicle, and as we know, the events planned throughout the state of Minnesota is a No Kings event," Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said. Boelter was last seen in the Twin Cities area wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, a dark long-sleeved shirt and light pants. He is described as 220lbs and 6 foot 1 and cops believe he is trying to flee the area and may be carrying a dark bag. The public should call 911 or sent tips to or call 877-996-6222.
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Yahoo
Indictment: 21 Days of Peace violence interrupters fired 43 shots in March incident
Indictment: 21 Days of Peace violence interrupters fired 43 shots in March incident originally appeared on Bring Me The News. Two men who worked for the Minneapolis violence interruption group 21 Days of Peace have been indicted by a federal grand jury with gun crimes following a March incident in which they fired dozens of shots. Alvin Anthony Watkins, Jr., 50, of St. Anthony, and Kashmir Khaliffa McReynolds, 35, of Minneapolis, are facing federal charges, with the U.S. Attorney's Office saying they "recklessly fired approximately 43 bullets into the dark, in a residential neighborhood in North Minneapolis" on Monday, Mar. 10. The pair had allegedly just finished their shifts attending a barbecue hosted by 21 Days of Peace when a still-unidentified assailant fired around 30 shots in their direction. "Although McReynolds did not see a person fire the gunshots, he fired numerous rounds in the general direction from which he thought the gunshots had originated, then ran to the other side of the block and continued shooting," the U.S. Attorney's Office said. "He also supplied Watkins with another gun, which Watkins fired a number of times. McReynolds knew Watkins was prohibited from carrying and possessing firearms due to his prior felony convictions. In total, McReynolds and Watkins fired approximately 43 rounds of ammunition." 21 Days of Peace is a violence interruption group under the umbrella of Salem Inc., the nonprofit founded by the Rev. Jerry McAfee that has received millions of dollars in funding via the Minnesota Legislature and The City of Minneapolis in recent years."McReynolds and Watkins were paid taxpayer money to bring peace to the community. Instead, they brought the very violence they claimed to be interrupting. This is outrageous. These defendants will be held to account," said Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis. But speaking to the Star Tribune, the Rev. McAfee questioned why the violence interrupters have been charged at the federal level given their case is also with the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. He also questioned why the pair have been charged and nobody has been arrested for firing upon them on the first place, saying: "It's interesting: They fired at 'em 30 times, you got nothing?" This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 8, 2025, where it first appeared.
CBS News
07-06-2025
- CBS News
Two North Minneapolis violence interrupters federally charged in March shooting
Two Minnesota men working for 21 Days of Peace, a nonprofit funded by Minnesota Legislature, have been federally charged in relation to a shooting that occurred in March, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office in Minnesota. One of the men is charged with felon in possession of a firearm, and the other is charged with disposing of a firearm to a convicted felon and possession of firearm while employed for a prohibited person, officials said Friday. According to the attorney's office, who cites court documents, on the night of March 10, the two men were finishing their shifts for 21 Days of Peace in North Minneapolis when gunshots were fired at the men from an unknown, unseen shooter. The men returned fire, approximately firing off 43 shots into the dark in a residential area. Officials say that one of the men claimed he did not see a person fire the gunshots, but fired off a number of rounds in the general direction in which he thought the gunshots originated, then ran to the other side of the block and continued shooting. Court documents say this man supplied the other man with a gun, which he fired a number of times. The man who was given the gun was prohibited from carrying and possessing a firearm due to prior felony convictions, and, according to officials, the other man knew that. "The people of north Minneapolis deserve peace," said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson on Friday. "[The men] were paid taxpayer money to bring peace to the community. Instead, they brought the very violence they claimed to be interrupting. This is outrageous. These defendants will be held to account." 21 Days of Peace is described by the Department of Justice as "an initiative of Salem Inc., which is a non-profit organization funded by the Minnesota Legislature to engage in 'social equity building and community engagement services.'"
