![]() “For too long, criminal gangs have wreaked havoc on our streets, leaving in their wake tragedy and trauma that threatens to destroy families, neighborhoods, and communities. These arrests demonstrate our efforts are turning the tide against organized crime in the Twin Cities and the upper Midwest.” “No American should be forced to live in perpetual fear of being a victim of violent crime. “Today's indictment of numerous Highs and Bloods gang members is the result of an exhaustive investigation conducted with our local, state, and federal partners,” Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Attorney’s Office, the Justice Department’s Criminal Division, the Minneapolis Police Department, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, and all of our law enforcement partners involved in bringing this case.” “When rival gangs declare war on each other in the streets in any city, it is the innocent bystanders that suffer the greatest consequences,” said Director Steven Dettelbach of the ATF. “As today’s announcement demonstrates, the Criminal Division is deploying its resources and expertise in close coordination with our partners to target the specific drivers of violent crime and hold gang members and associates accountable for their offenses.” of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “Violent gangs wreak havoc on local residents, engaging in bloody street wars and peddling dangerous drugs that devastate communities and families,” said Assistant Attorney General Kenneth A. The aggregate nature of a RICO prosecution has a deeper impact and carries a stronger deterrence message, with the ultimate goal of reducing violence and returning peace to our communities.” “As alleged, these defendants engaged in an unrelenting trail of violence, resulting in today’s federal RICO charges and related charges. We are now addressing gang violence for what it is: organized criminal activity,” said U.S. ![]() “Today’s announcement marks a fundamental change for federal law enforcement. In addition to these indictments, separate charging documents have been brought against an additional 15 Highs or Bloods members on drug and gun charges. Additional charges include the use of a firearm to commit murder and drug trafficking. Tensions in the city remain high, and at the time of Smith’s death, demonstrations took place in Minneapolis, including one in which a woman was killed when an intoxicated man drove into a crowd of protesters.MINNEAPOLIS – Two indictments were unsealed today in the District of Minnesota charging 30 members and associates of two Minneapolis-based street gangs – the Highs and the Bloods – with racketeering (RICO) conspiracy involving alleged murder, attempted murder, robbery, obstruction of justice, and drug trafficking. The fatal shooting of another Black man, Daunte Wright, by an officer occurred in nearby Brooklyn Center in April. ![]() Minneapolis was the scene of George Floyd’s death at the hands of a police officer more than a year earlier, which sparked horror and condemnation worldwide, and led to large-scale protests. The task force members who shot Smith were working undercover and their names have not been released. Smith’s family members and activists have demanded transparency in the case, as no body camera footage of the shooting was taken. Ms Askar also said that she didn’t see Smith with a gun and that he was shot after he raised a phone to begin recording what was happening. ![]() However, Norhan Askar, who was in the SUV with Smith at the time has said that law enforcement officers did not identify themselves when they surrounded the vehicle and were not uniformed. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said a handgun and spent cartridge were found inside the car, which was taken as evidence that indicated Smith had fired his gun. Smith was inside a parked SUV when the shooting occurred and the Hennepin County medical examiner said he died of multiple gunshot wounds. The US Marshals Service said Smith didn’t comply as they tried to arrest him for allegedly being a felon in possession of a firearm and claimed he “produced a handgun resulting in task force members firing upon the subject.” ![]()
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