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'Makes me fearful': Minnesota woman whose attacker freed by Harris-supported bail fund speaks out

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'Makes me fearful': Minnesota woman whose attacker freed by Harris-supported bail fund speaks out

EXCLUSIVE: A 79-year-old Somali American woman in Minnesota, who was shot by an assailant ultimately released with the help of a bail fund supported by Vice President Kamala Harris, is speaking out against the vice president, telling Fox News Digital that her record raised questions about her “judgment and priorities in office.” 

Halima Farah, who came to the U.S. in 2005 and became a citizen in 2011, recounted her “traumatic experience” on Jan. 2, 2021. She was shot and robbed of her rent money outside her Minneapolis apartment by De’Seanna Williams, police said at the time. Farah said she suffered bone fractures to her shoulder blade and skull, hemorrhages in her skull, lacerations on her face and had a gunshot wound to her upper thigh and buttocks area. 

Williams was arrested after the attack but was bailed out by the Minnesota Freedom Fund, a fund that Harris promoted during the George Floyd riots in 2020. 

In a blog post on Medium on May 31, 2020, then-Sen. Harris asked for individuals to “make a contribution to the Minnesota Freedom Fund, an organization working on the ground in Minnesota to post bail for arrested protesters.” 

KAMALA HARRIS-BACKED ‘FREEDOM FUND’ THAT PUT MURDERERS, RAPISTS BACK ON STREETS STILL UP AND RUNNING

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Halima Farah in her apartment in Minneapolis on Oct. 26, 2024. (Photo courtesy Fowzi Media | Hussein Noor)

Harris also posted in support of the Minnesota Freedom Fund that June as protests over the police death of Floyd in Minneapolis swept the country.

“If you’re able to, chip in now to the @MNFreedomFund to help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota,” she posted, along with a link to donate. 

The post is still live on the site, and the link now re-directs to an ActBlue page headlined, “Kamala Harris for the People,” encouraging individuals to “make a donation to the Minnesota Freedom Fund.” 

“Your support will help post bail for those protesting on the ground in Minnesota,” the website states. 

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Only a fraction of the more than $41 million raised actually went to freeing rioters, according to a FOX 9 report in 2020. The Minnesota Freedom Fund has reportedly bailed out defendants from prisons in Minnesota who had been charged with murder, violent felonies and sex crimes. 

The Minnesota Freedom Fund did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

MINNESOTA MAN FREED BY KAMALA HARRIS-SUPPORTED BAIL FUND NOW CHARGED WITH MURDER

Farah, who does not speak English, provided her responses to Fox News Digital’s questions through her translator via email. 

Farah told Fox News Digital that Harris’ promotion of the fund “should spark questions and debates over her suitability for higher office.” 

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“I believe that a president should not support measures that may lead to the release of violent criminals,” Farah said. “The implications of such policies are serious and warrant careful consideration.” 

Halima Farah, left, and Vice President Kamala Harris. (Fowzi Media | Hussein Noor & Getty)

“Kamala Harris does not deserve to serve as President of the United States, and her tenure as vice president has weakened my rights,” Farah continued. “Also, her encouragement of donations to the Minnesota Freedom Fund is terrible to my safety and my life.” 

Farah said, “the idea that the vice president would support bail for violent offenders is troubling to me and makes me fearful.”

“It raises questions about her judgment and priorities in office,” she said. 

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Democratic presidential nominee Vice President Kamala Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, depart after speaking during a campaign rally at Burns Park in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on Monday, Oct. 28, 2024. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya)

After she was released on bail with the help of the Minnesota Freedom Fund for beating, shooting and robbing Farah, Williams committed a non-violent crime of felony check forgery. Williams later pleaded guilty to one count of first-degree aggravated robbery and one count of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon. She was sentenced to prison as part of the plea agreement and is expected to be released in April 2025.  

“I realized that I didn’t get justice at all,” Farah told Fox News Digital, saying the Minnesota Freedom Fund “fosters criminal behavior and leaves victims without a sense of justice.” 

BAIL FUND BACKED BY KAMALA HARRIS FREED SAME RIOTER TWICE – NOW HE’S BEEN CHARGED AGAIN

Farah went on to slam Harris’ running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, for rising crime in the state. 

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“I don’t feel safe right now in the United States, especially in our state of Minnesota after the riots of George Floyd and the aftermath under Gov. Walz’ watch,” Farah said. 

Minnesota murder rates have risen under Walz’s leadership. 

Walz was sworn in as governor in 2019. Data from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety reviewed by Fox News Digital shows that in 2018, the year before Walz took office, the state recorded 104 murders, a figure that increased by more than 12% in 2019, when the state recorded 117 murders. Murders in the state in 2020, when violent crimes spiked nationwide, skyrocketed to 185. In 2021, the state recorded 201 murders, 182 in 2022 and 172 last year. 

Data from the state shows that in the four years before Walz took office, from 2015-2018, there was an average of about 113 murders recorded in the state each year, which has increased to 171 murders, according to the yearly average under Walz’s five years as governor. 

FBI crime data reviewed by Fox News Digital shows that homicides in 2017, Trump’s first year in office, slightly dipped nationally from 15,320 in 2016 to 15,312 in 2017. The data shows violent crime again dipped in 2018, at 14,604 homicides, and again in 2019 to 14,678, before skyrocketing in 2020 amid the riots to 18,965 homicides. 

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Vice President Kamala Harris and Gov. Tim Walz. ( Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)

Farah told Fox News Digital she believes that “former President Donald Trump is tough on crime and criminals.” 

“I would feel more comfortable and relieved having Trump in the White House,” she said. “I would also encourage anyone who loves this country not to vote for her.” 

Farah said she hopes “to meet former President Trump or his running mate JD Vance before the election to share my concerns and fears.” 

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The Harris-Walz campaign declined to comment when reached by Fox News Digital.

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Detroit, MI

Terrion Arnold ‘maintains complete innocence’ in kidnapping, theft case

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Terrion Arnold ‘maintains complete innocence’ in kidnapping, theft case


I represent Mr. Terrion Arnold in connection with an incident that allegedly occurred on February 4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida, which resulted in the arrest of five individuals on serious felony charges.

To be clear, Mr. Arnold had no involvement whatsoever in the activities that led to those arrests. He did not participate in, nor was he present for, any conduct related to the alleged offenses. There is no evidence in police reports, text messages, or witness statements that implicates Mr. Arnold in any way.

In fact, after direct communication with the lead prosecutor, it has been confirmed that no charges have been filed against Mr. Arnold in connection with this matter.

Recent media coverage has referenced an Order issued by Circuit Judge J. Logan Murphy, which improperly suggests Mr. Arnold’s involvement in the incident. That same Order also incorrectly identifies Ms. Devalle as Mr. Arnold’s girlfriend. Both assertions are false, misleading, and entirely unsupported by the record.

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Mr. Arnold categorically denies these unfounded claims and maintains his complete innocence. He was not involved in the crimes allegedly committed on February 4, 2026, in Tampa, Florida.

​We strongly urge members of the media to refrain from perpetuating inaccurate or speculative narratives. The facts are clear, and they do not support any claim of wrongdoing by Mr. Arnold.



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Milwaukee, WI

Sheriff’s Office backpedals on controversial facial recognition deal

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Sheriff’s Office backpedals on controversial facial recognition deal


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  • The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office has decided against a contract for facial recognition technology.
  • Sheriff Denita Ball cited community concerns and the importance of public trust in the decision.
  • The move follows similar pushback that led the Milwaukee Police Department to pause its own pursuit of the technology.
  • Local officials and advocates have raised concerns about racial bias, surveillance, and civil rights violations.

The Milwaukee County Sheriff’s Office will not move forward on a potential deal to use facial recognition technology, Sheriff Denita Ball announced Friday.

In a statement on Feb. 27, Ball said after “thoughtful evaluation” and “meaningful dialogue” with community stakeholders and leaders, she decided to stop pursuing a contract with Biometrica, a Las Vegas-based company whose technology allows authorities to compare photos to a large database of photos for matches. 

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“While we recognize the potential of this software as an investigative tool, we also recognize that trust between the MCSO and the people we serve is important,” she said.

“My discussions with local advocates highlighted valid concerns regarding how such data could be accessed or perceived in the current national climate. This decision is not a retreat from innovation but rather an understanding that timing matters, too,” Ball said.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reported on Feb. 17 that the Sheriff’s Office was on the verge of signing off on the use of facial recognition technology after news broke at a community advisory board meeting held by the office.

The update on the office’s sign-off on an intent to enter into a contract with Biometrica blindsided local officials and advocates because it contradicted earlier claims that the office had not moved forward with a controversial contract.

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At the time, supervisors on the county’s judiciary and legislation committee called for more information from the Sheriff’s Office about the nature of the then-potential contract.

Supervisor Justin Bielinski, who chairs the committee, said Ball’s decision to step away from the deal was good news, but said he was still feeling wary.

“I would like to see more I guess,” he said of the two paragraph statement from Ball. “At what point would she reconsider, right?”

County Executive David Crowley, who is running for governor as a Democrat, had also voiced concerns about a possible contract when news came to light earlier this month.

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After learning of Ball’s decision to not move forward with Biometrica, Crowley thanked community members who voiced concerns about facial recognition technology, saying he will “continue doing everything in my authority to ensure our residents’ First Amendment rights, civil liberties, and personal data are protected.”

In recent months, Milwaukee politicians and residents rebuffed local law enforcement’s efforts to pursue the use of such technology at both the city and county levels, with many citing concerns over racial bias and unjust surveillance of residents.

The Milwaukee County Board of Supervisors voted last summer to recommend the development of a policy framework for the use of facial recognition technology as worries about its use by local law enforcement grew in the community.

The policy emphasized that the use of such technology doesn’t “suppress First Amendment-related activities, violate privacy, or otherwise adversely impact individuals’ civil rights and liberties,” and called for a pause on acquiring new facial recognition technology until regulatory policies were in place to monitor any existing and new surveillance technology.

In early February, the Milwaukee Police Department paused its pursuit of facial recognition technology after almost a year of pushback from activists and some public officials at public meetings. The department also noted that community feedback was a part of its final decision as well as a volatile political climate amid the federal government’s immigration crackdown.

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(This story was updated to add new information.)



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Minneapolis, MN

Fan behind Anthony Edwards’ orange bracelet has beaten cancer

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Fan behind Anthony Edwards’ orange bracelet has beaten cancer


The story behind Anthony Edwards wearing a bright orange bracelet since last season has received a positive development, after Timberwolves fans learned Luca Wright has beaten leukemia.

Anthony Edwards, Luca Wright connection

What we know:

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Last January, the 6-year-old Minnesotan met “Ant” for the first time following a game against the Detroit Pistons, proclaiming him to be his favorite player, and asking him to wear a bracelet that symbolizes leukemia awareness, resilience and support for those affected. During the interaction, the fan had created a sign with a to-do list: “1. Beat Cancer. 2. Be The Next MJ.”

Leukemia is a type of cancer that spreads throughout the bloodstream, infecting bone marrow and a person’s lymphatic system by rapid production of abnormal white blood cells that can’t fight infection.

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Since then, the Wolves’ MVP has worn a bracelet that proclaims, “Love Like Luca” on it for every game he has played, vowing to wear it “until he hangs up his sneakers.”

Ant has gone on to explain how the gesture connected with him given that he lost both his mother, Yvette, and grandmother, Shirley, to cancer when he was 14 years old. The No. 5 jersey he wears currently is a tribute to them both.

Luca bracelet latest

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Dig deeper:

More than a year later, Wolves fans have received the update they hoped for – now 7-year-old Luca has beaten his cancer.

What’s next:

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Ant has since responded to the news with his own social media video, calling it “God’s gift” and saying, “Let’s do this Luca.”

No word yet on whether he intends to keep wearing the bracelet, though he’s previously said he has a stash of replacements near the team bench should one ever be broken.

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The Source: Information provided by the Minnesota Timberwolves public relations department.

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