Minneapolis, MN
Minneapolis approves $950,000 settlement with journalists detained or injured in 2020 unrest
MINNEAPOLIS — The Minneapolis City Council voted Thursday, Feb. 8 to approve a $950,000 settlement on behalf of journalists detained or injured by Minneapolis police during unrest following George Floyd’s killing in 2020.
Floyd’s killing in May 2020 by a Minneapolis police officer sparked protests and led to arson and looting at hundreds of Twin Cities buildings.
The journalists who were plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Minnesota allege that Minneapolis police intentionally used tear gas and rubber bullets on reporters and photojournalists covering protests or arson. They cite incidents where officers arrested journalists with press credentials or seriously injured them.
Teresa Nelson, legal director for the ACLU of Minnesota, called the settlement a win for journalists attacked for covering the protests.
“This settlement should send a strong message to both Minneapolis and all police departments that journalists who are doing their jobs shouldn’t be targeted, they shouldn’t be arrested or attacked and that we need to respect freedom of the press,” Nelson said.
As part of the settlement, Minneapolis does not admit any wrongdoing during the unrest. The city also did not promise to make any changes to the department. Minneapolis is currently under a court-enforced agreement with the Minnesota Department of Human Rights and is expected to also come under a federal consent decree with the U.S. Department of Justice.
Nelson said it’s disappointing that Minneapolis didn’t take responsibility for its officers’ actions despite the department’s long history of using excessive force.
“We hope that going forward though when we are seeing the police reform efforts in Minneapolis — we’re seeing the DOJ (Department of Justice) consent decree, the Department of Human Rights consent decree — that a lot of these issues will be resolved in Minneapolis,” Nelson said.
A spokesperson for Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said they’re unable to comment on litigation.
This newest settlement puts the city’s cost of settling lawsuits stemming from officer conduct during the unrest at almost $10 million. The settlement will be split between the eight journalists who were plaintiffs and the Communications Workers of America, which represents journalists across the country.
Freelance photographer Linda Tirado was partially blinded after being hit in the face with a “less than lethal” projectile allegedly fired by law enforcement officers. Minneapolis later paid a $600,000 settlement to Tirado.
The ACLU and plaintiffs settled a similar case for $825,000 two years ago against the Minnesota State Patrol, who promised that troopers in the future would not attack, threaten or arrest journalists. Another similar lawsuit against the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is still pending.
The council also approved a separate $800,000 settlement with a group of men who were arrested while trying to keep the peace after Winston Smith was killed by law enforcement in Minneapolis in 2021.
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A Minneapolis man who pleaded guilty to murdering a high school student in 2022 was sentenced to nearly 30 years in prison on Monday.
It was the second time Cody Fohrenkam was sentenced for fatally shooting 15-year-old Deshaun Hill. He was convicted and sentenced to more than 38 years in prison in February 2023, but the Minnesota Court of Appeals later reversed the conviction and granted him a retrial based on illegally obtained incriminating statements.
Fohrenkam, 33, agreed to a plea deal as his second trial was set to start, pleading guilty to one count of second-degree intentional murder in exchange for Monday’s 340-month sentence. The judge presiding over the hearing gave him credit for 1,476 days already served.
Fohrenkam shot and killed Hill while Hill was walking to a bus stop just blocks from Minneapolis North High School, where Hill was a star quarterback and honor roll student.
One of Hill’s aunts said in a statement shortly before the judge sentenced Fohrenkam that her nephew was “full of life.”
“When he spoke, you listened. He had a soft spirit and a good heart,” she said. “Deshaun was an artist who, as you all know, he took his education seriously. He had dreams and goals. He worked hard to make his family proud.”
This story will be updated.
A man is now charged with murder after prosecutors say a robbery inside a Minneapolis apartment building ended in a fatal shooting.
Prosecutors say the man was on conditional release after being charged with first-degree armed carjacking for an incident in Minneapolis last September.
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The killing happened Feb. 24 inside the Abbott Apartments lounge area on the 100 block of East 18th Street, where police found an adult man dead from gunshot wounds after reports of a shooting.
Court documents state the victim and a friend went to the building to meet 20-year-old Abdirahman Khayre Khayre. A witness stated Khayre left the room several times and appeared to be stalling before three armed men entered and demanded property. The men were described as carrying two Glock-style handguns with extended magazines and an AR-style rifle. During the robbery, the suspects demanded a Louis Vuitton bag belonging to the victim. When the victim resisted, a struggle broke out. The witness stated that two guns were taken from him during the robbery.
The witness told investigators Khayre was handed one of the stolen guns and then pointed it at him, causing him to flee into the lobby. Moments later, multiple gunshots were heard. The witness returned and found the victim shot. Surveillance footage from other areas of the building reportedly corroborated key parts of the account, and the witness later identified Khayre in a photo lineup, according to the complaint.
PREVIOUSLY: Man Shot and Killed Inside Minneapolis Apartment Building
Authorities say Khayre was on conditional release at the time of the killing in a separate Hennepin County case involving a September 2025 armed carjacking.
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In that earlier case, prosecutors alleged Khayre and others confronted a woman in a garage near 19th Street and Nicollet Avenue, pointed handguns at her and forced her to give up the keys to a Dodge Challenger before fleeing in the stolen vehicle. Officers later located the vehicle and arrested multiple suspects, including Khayre, who was identified as the driver.
Court records show Khayre posted a $75,000 non-cash bond and was released under conditions requiring him to remain law-abiding, have no possession of firearms or ammunition, avoid alcohol and controlled substances and complete treatment.
Khayre is now charged with second-degree murder without intent while committing a felony and first-degree aggravated robbery. He made an initial court appearance Friday, where a judge set bail at $1 million. If convicted of second-degree felony murder, he faces a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
The homicide investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not yet released the identity of the victim. Anyone with information is asked to contact Minneapolis police by emailing policetips@minneapolismn.gov or calling 612-673-5845. Anonymous tips can also be submitted through CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or online. Information leading to an arrest and conviction may be eligible for a financial reward.
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