Videos Show Fireworks Launched At Officers In Minneapolis: 30 Arrested

MINNEAPOLIS — At least 30 people were arrested and five others were cited on July 4 in connection to fireworks being launched at police officers and bystanders.

Their ages ranged from 15 to 23, police said.

"The fireworks show, Red, White, and Boom, returned last night to Minneapolis," said Chief Brian O’Hara, "and that’s the good news. The bad news is that groups of juveniles and young adults were also back at it, attacking police and others with fireworks."

July 4 firework attacks have become commonplace in Minneapolis in recent years. In 2022, residents were permanently scarred from injuries caused by fireworks that were thrown at them, police said. In 2023, a young man was seriously injured while attempting to attack another individual with a firework, according to authorities.

Knowing this, Minneapolis police tracked social media and found invitations for people to come to the city to cause chaos ahead of July 4.

"I am thankful to the Minnesota State Patrol, the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, the Minneapolis Park Police, and the University of Minnesota Police," O’Hara added.

"Through a coordinated effort, dozens of arrests or citations related to illegal firework activity were made and illegal fireworks were recovered."

Video released Monday showed some of the attacks:

More videos from the night can be found here.

The arrest data can be found below:

Police gave a summary of some of the major firework-related incidents from the weekend:

At about 11:30 p.m. on July 4th, a large group of people were throwing fireworks at each other and vehicles near the 4900 block of Lake Nokomis Parkway. Two adults were cited.

Just before midnight, near 14th St and 4th Av S, a group was firing fireworks at officers. Four adult males were arrested and booked.

At about 12:30 a.m., occupants of a vehicle driving through the area were seen by officers aiming mortar-style fireworks at pedestrians near the 600 block of 12th Ave SE. An adult and two juveniles were arrested.

At about 1:15 a.m., a group of males were throwing mortar fireworks at officers near 11TH AVE SE & 6TH ST SE. Two adults and two juveniles were arrested.

At about 1:25 a.m., officers saw fireworks being thrown out of a vehicle by the occupants at pedestrians near 11TH AVE SE / 4TH ST SE. Officers stopped the vehicle and arrested four adults.

At about 1:41 a.m., a large group was seen by officers shooting fireworks at people, vehicles, and apartment buildings around 12th Ave SE/6th Ave SE. More than a dozen adults were arrested.

At about 2 a.m., a group was seen throwing fireworks at police officers and firing mortar rounds. One eighteen-year-old male was arrested.

At about 3 a.m., near Cedar Ave and W Lake Nokomis Parkway, a group was observed by officers shooting fireworks at squads. Two adults were arrested.