Coon Rapids Man Charged In Shooting At UMN Following Wayzata High School Graduation

Coon Rapids Man Charged In Shooting At UMN Following Wayzata High School Graduation

A 20-year-old Coon Rapids man, Hamza Abdirashid Said, has been charged in connection with a shooting that injured two individuals outside the University of Minnesota's Mariucci Arena on

May 30, 2025, shortly after Wayzata High School's graduation ceremony.

Said faces three felony charges in Hennepin County District Court: first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and possession of a machine gun.

According to the criminal complaint, surveillance footage captured Said and several others fleeing from the east entrance of Mariucci Arena around 8:20 p.m. Said was seen lifting his black gown—identified as a traditional Somali garment, not a graduation robe—reaching for his waistband, and firing multiple rounds from a Glock 17 handgun equipped with an illegal automatic conversion device known as a "switch."

Two victims were injured in the incident. A 49-year-old man, standing with his family after the ceremony, was shot in the head. Despite a fractured skull and brain bleed, he managed to describe the events to police before collapsing. A 19-year-old man sustained a gunshot wound to the leg but was uncooperative with investigators. Both victims have since been discharged from the hospital.

After the shooting, Said was observed discarding his gown and a black face mask near Williams Arena. He was apprehended shortly thereafter on Pleasant Street Southeast. Authorities recovered the modified handgun and clothing items at the scene.

Investigators have not yet determined Said's motive or whether he attended the graduation ceremony. Wayzata Public Schools Superintendent Chace B. Anderson stated that there is no confirmed connection between Said or the 19-year-old victim and the graduation event.

Governor Tim Walz condemned the shooting as "horrific," emphasizing that such violence should not mar celebratory occasions.

Said remains in custody with bail set at $300,000, pending his upcoming court appearance.

MinneapoliMedia