Minnesota law enforcement leaders announce plan to curb gang violence

Mars King, Pioneer Press on Oct 19, 2026

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BLAINE, Minn. — More than 40 local, state and federal law enforcement agencies are working together on a new strategy to respond to gang and group violence in Minnesota.

Law enforcement leaders unveiled a plan Monday to curb gang violence in Minnesota using an existing investigative model and greater collaboration across agencies.

The strategy, announced in Blaine at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Emergency Operations Center, will operate under the umbrella of Minnesota’s Crime Gun Intelligence Center, said Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans.

The Crime Gun Intelligence Center focuses on collection, management and analysis of gun crime evidence to identify shooters, disrupt criminal activity and prevent future violence, according to the BCA. Partners in the center include the FBI and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

“Our intent is to build strong criminal cases, disrupt cycles of retaliation and ultimately prevent the next shooting,” said ATF Special Agent in Charge Joe Persails. “This initiative represents a coordinated commitment across all levels of law enforcement to protect the people who live, work and raise their families in the Twin Cities.”

Local police join forces

Law enforcement officers from around the metro area, including St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry and Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher, were present on Monday in addition to police officials from Apple Valley, Bloomington, Lakeville and Maplewood, to name a few.

Other agencies and units participating in the effort include the St. Paul police department’s Non-Fatal Shooting and Gang units, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Violent Crime Enforcement Team, Metro Transit police, University of Minnesota police and Anoka, Dakota, Hennepin and Scott county sheriff’s offices.

“The main piece of bringing all of these together is to utilize those task forces and ensure that information is shared,” Evans said. “When we have groups that choose to commit violence in our communities … we pursue them collectively across the board and utilize either the correct task force or our federal partners.”

Formal agreements with the involved agencies are being finalized, but the coordinated effort is underway, according to the BCA.

When asked whether federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) charges were possible, FBI Special Agent in Charge Chris Dotson said, “It’s on the table.”

Recent gang activity

Earlier this summer, Sheriff Fletcher took to his “Live on Patrol” YouTube channel to talk about “the growth of Somali gang crime.”

There have been high-profile shootings in the Somali community that resulted in injuries, including after a Metropolitan State University graduation in downtown St. Paul in May and outside the Wayzata High School graduation at Mariucci Arena at the University of Minnesota. Shots were also fired outside the Burnsville High School graduation last year.

“It’s just a small number of kids, but they are causing a lot of trouble for the Somali community,” Fletcher said during the July livestream.

Fletcher’s comments were later criticized by Somali-American leaders, who acknowledged the violence, but feared stigmatization of the community.

More recently, Ramsey County and state officials sued two Somali gangs in an effort to stop violence at the Minnesota State Fair, alleging the groups created a public nuisance in the past.

The civil gang injunctions worked, according to Fletcher, who said 2026 was the safest State Fair in the last three years.

On Monday, Hennepin County Sheriff Dewanna Witt drew attention to anti-Somali sentiments she’d seen on social media.

“I want to make one thing clear: The actions of the individuals do not define the entire community,” Witt said. “Enough with the nonsense about directing anger, hate words, hateful acts towards an entire community. Please help us do our best, work with us and let’s not have any more unnecessary stereotyping of an entire community,” Witt said.

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