This has become a familiar story out of Europe, but it is something new under the sun in Minneapolis. Although it is big news, I can’t find any evidence of the story in the Star Tribune (please let me know if I missed it) — another element that gives the story a European dimension.
Brett Hoffland warily reports for (KSTP TV) 5 Eyewitness News:
Minneapolis police are investigating a series of alleged “terroristic threats” made against people living in one neighborhood near Lake Calhoun.
5 EYEWITNESS NEWS talked to a few neighbors on Thursday who say throughout the week, multiple young men have been harassing them.
After just moving to the neighborhood not too long ago, one woman, who wants to keep her identity hidden to protect herself from what happened on Monday, says she never expected this activity in that neighborhood.
“We couldn’t get them out. We didn’t know what to do,” one Minneapolis resident told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS.
According to a Minneapolis police report, between 20 and 30 young men showed up in front of a woman’s house about 9:30 in the morning and “the comments turned to threats.”
“They were screaming at the house that they were going to kidnap you and they were going to rape you,” one Minneapolis resident told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS. “It was a very traumatizing experience.”
The report indicates that these young men were driving onto the sidewalk and on the lawn, all while shooting off bottle rockets and screaming.
“It’s a scary thought especially for those who have young children,” one Minneapolis resident said.
Multiple neighbors even took cellphone video of the aftermath; some of the video shows the police talking with some of the young men.
“The entire neighborhood is up in arms,” one Minneapolis resident said.
It wasn’t just Monday. Neighbors say these visitors have stopped by the last three days. But on Monday, the alleged attacks were much more personal.
“It needs to get nipped in the bud before it gets any worse because the escalation that occurs over a matter of hours could potentially kill or harm someone,” one Minneapolis resident said.
One has to watch the report (video below) to learn that the 20 to 30 young men are identified in the related police report as “Somali males.”
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