Gang of Somalis in Minnesota Film Attacks on Passersby

The following video shows a gang of Somalis, going by nicknames and exposing their real names, attacking cyclists, pedestrians and passersby in St. Paul, Minnesota.

The footage shows them turning to the camera, mouthing "watch this", before launching a series of violent assaults on innocent strangers, including children and the elderly:


According to the Star Tribune:

In the video, one of the attackers chases two young children who appear to be walking home from school and shoves one of them down a hill. Another throws something into the face of a convenience store cashier.

At least one incident appears to have occurred along the Midtown Greenway in Minneapolis, where the attackers jump out at a cyclist, punching at him with boxing gloves.

Other incidents appear to have taken place in St. Paul, including at the intersection of University and Lexington avenues.

The creator of the video, who posted it online Monday, describes the attackers as "a group of Somali black males pulling pranks on people."

Authorities aren't laughing.

"It's disturbing to watch," said St. Paul police Sgt. Paul Schnell. "Our first objective is that we want it to stop because we don't want somebody getting hurt." Schnell said the video also could lead to criminal charges.

Schnell said several citizens e-mailed the video to police Tuesday morning.

"With absolute certainty, there is a desire to talk to these people," Schnell said. "Whether criminal charges are brought will be dependent upon our ability to match the incident with actual reports by the victims."

According to the same source, two have been traced and arrested:

St. Paul police have arrested an adult and a juvenile in connection with a series of random attacks in Minneapolis and St. Paul that were recorded on video and posted on YouTube.

A 19-year-old was booked into the Ramsey County jail, and a 17-year-old was taken to a juvenile detention center. Both were booked Tuesday on suspicion of strong-arm robbery and aggravated assault, according to St. Paul police reports.

St. Paul Police Sgt. Paul Schnell said police were searching for two others who were recorded on camera participating in the assaults, while the remaining others -- at least four -- would be considered persons of interest.

"From what we have seen in the footage, there were only four people that we can connect with possible criminal activity in the city of St. Paul that were clearly and directly involved in the planning and/or execution of these attacks," Schnell said.

He said that a handful of victims have come forward, and about four reports were filed as of late Wednesday afternoon. One victim told police he was tackled from behind by an unknown male at 6 p.m. Saturday while walking east on Grand Avenue near Avon Street in St. Paul. "Assault was probably posted on YouTube," the police report said.

It's nice to see Somalis in America, provided with opportunities beyond the imagining of many of their compatriots, showing the restraint and decorum that blighted country is renouned for.