Man Charged in Shooting That Injured Two Outside Mariucci Arena Following High School Graduation

Man Charged in Shooting That Injured Two Outside Mariucci Arena Following High School Graduation

Minneapolis, MN — A Coon Rapids man is facing multiple felony charges after a shooting outside Mariucci Arena on Friday evening left two individuals injured, including one man in critical condition. The incident occurred shortly after the Wayzata High School graduation ceremony, casting a shadow over what should have been a celebratory occasion.

Hamza Abdirashid Said, 20, has been formally charged with first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and possession/operation of a machine gun, following an investigation by University of Minnesota Police and other law enforcement agencies.

Shooting Unfolds After Graduation

Police responded to reports of a shooting around 8 p.m. near the east entrance of Mariucci Arena on the University of Minnesota campus. Upon arrival, officers encountered a 49-year-old man suffering from a gunshot wound to the head. According to the victim, he had been standing outside with his family after the graduation ceremony when a fight broke out among a group of young men nearby.

As tensions escalated, the man reported hearing a gunshot. He attempted to flee the area with his family but soon felt a burning sensation on his head. Upon touching the area, he discovered he was bleeding heavily before collapsing.

Medical examination later revealed that the victim had suffered a skull fracture and brain bleed, resulting in numbness on the right side of his body. He remains hospitalized in serious condition.

A second victim, a 19-year-old man, sustained a gunshot wound to the upper leg. According to the criminal complaint, the younger victim was uncooperative with investigators but was transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.

Surveillance Footage Leads to Arrest

Video footage from campus security cameras played a key role in identifying Said as the suspected shooter. According to the complaint, Said was seen wearing a black Somali-style gown and running with a group of males near the arena. He is observed lifting the gown to waist level and reaching toward his waistband before extending his arm toward the 19-year-old victim.

“A handgun is observable in [Said’s] hand and appears to fire multiple rounds,” the complaint states. “Immediately afterward, people in the area react by ducking and running.”

Said allegedly fled the scene by jumping over nearby bushes and discarding both the handgun and his gown outside Williams Arena, just a block away.

Modified Handgun Recovered

Investigators recovered a Glock 17 handgun at the scene, which had been illegally modified with a “switch” — a device that converts the weapon into a fully automatic firearm. The use of such a device significantly increases the risk to bystanders and classifies the weapon under federal machine gun statutes.

No motive for the shooting has been confirmed. Authorities are still working to determine whether Said attended the graduation ceremony or had any connection to the victims or other individuals involved in the altercation.

Community Response

The incident has sparked widespread concern among parents, students, and community leaders. In a statement, Wayzata High School officials expressed their dismay:

“We are deeply saddened that this incident occurred at the conclusion of what should have been a joyful and memorable celebration. Our thoughts are with the victims and their families.”

The University of Minnesota has also pledged to increase campus security in the wake of the shooting.

Legal Proceedings and Ongoing Investigation

Said was arrested shortly after the shooting and remains in custody. His initial court appearance is pending, and prosecutors are expected to argue for continued detention given the serious nature of the charges and the use of an illegal automatic weapon.

Authorities are urging anyone who witnessed the shooting or may have video footage of the incident to contact the University of Minnesota Police Department or call 911. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests may be possible as police work to identify others involved in the altercation.