Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher reported that approximately 300 Somali youth are involved in gang activity in the Minneapolis and St. Paul area. He stated that these gangs have been linked to at least 14 homicides and over 100 shootings in the past two years, including incidents at public events such as high school graduations and the Minnesota State Fair. Fletcher noted that Somali individuals are believed to account for about 20% of homicides in Minneapolis, although this statistic cannot be independently verified due to the lack of published data by race or national origin from the Minneapolis Police Department.
Fletcher expressed concern about the potential growth of gang involvement among youth, suggesting that the number of gang-involved juveniles could triple if not addressed. He advocates for a comprehensive approach that includes prevention, intervention, and enforcement to tackle the issue. Additionally, Deputy Ben Seidel from the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office mentioned that the Somali gangs in Minnesota are connected to similar groups in Ohio.
The issue has sparked debate within the community. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty denied the existence of Somali gangs terrorizing residents, calling such claims misinformation. Meanwhile, Minneapolis City Councilman Jamal Osman criticized Fletcher's comments as dangerous and accused him of scapegoating Somali youth. Osman emphasized the need for understanding and collaboration rather than blame, pointing to systemic issues such as poverty and lack of opportunity as root causes of violence.
In response to the concerns raised, Fletcher has initiated outreach efforts, including community meetings aimed at fostering dialogue with Somali leaders and parents about gang violence and its impact on the community. Minnesota state Rep. Samakab Hussein also acknowledged the problem and called for a collective effort to find solutions, emphasizing that public safety should not be politicized or ethnicized.