MINNEAPOLIS — Special Agents with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI, working in tandem with investigators with the Minneapolis Fire Department and the Minneapolis Police Department, are looking to the public to help identify individuals who may be responsible for fires that were set during the Aug. 26 unrest throughout Minneapolis.
One suspect has been arrested so far in relation to the arsons that occurred during the unrest. Now law enforcement is looking to the public to help identify others who may be responsible for the four fires. During the unrest, people set fire to Brit’s Pub, 1110 Nicollet Mall; Target Headquarters, 1000 Nicollet Mall; Walgreens, 4323 Chicago Ave. South; and Tires Plus, 1103 West Lake Street.
“Arson is a phenomenally violent crime,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Terry Henderson, of the St. Paul Field Division. “A fire can ravage buildings in mere minutes, putting every occupant or passerby at risk of serious injury or death. Crimes like this must be brought to justice and we look to the public to help us hold these individuals accountable for their actions.”
“We have methodically worked each of the fire scenes, collecting evidence, interviewing witnesses, and reviewing video footage to help us solve these arson cases,” said Henderson. “We’ve narrowed in on particular individuals who we suspect may have been involved. We would appreciate any assistance the public is willing to provide in order to bring these investigations to a successful conclusion.”
Anyone with information on the identification and/or whereabouts of any of these individuals is asked to contact ATF. Anyone providing information can remain anonymous. The preferred method for reporting information is by emailing ATFTips@atf.gov or submitting information via www.ReportIt.com. ReportIt can also be downloaded as a mobile app, available on Google Play or Apple Apps Store. When using ReportIt, select “ATF – St. Paul Field Division” as the reporting agency. Tipsters can also call 1-888-ATF-TIPS (888-283-8477) if internet access is unavailable. Those providing tip information should include the ATF ID number of the individual and as much information as available relating to the individual and their whereabouts. In addition to identifying persons of interest, investigators are looking to the public for photos or videos from the night of unrest last month. They are specifically looking for photos or videos of people starting fires or adding additional material or accelerants to any of the fires.
ATF is working with the Minneapolis Police Department, Minneapolis Fire Department, the FBI Minneapolis Field Division and U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota.
ATF is the federal agency with jurisdiction for investigating fires and crimes of arson. For more information about ATF, go to www.atf.gov or follow @ATFHQ on Twitter. Follow @ATFStPaul on Twitter for ATF news in Minnesota, South Dakota, North Dakota and Wisconsin.
