Minneapolis, MN
Riding along with law enforcement during Operation Safe Summer in Minneapolis
MINNEAPOLIS — For the third summer in a row, law enforcement is targeting illegal guns and the most violent criminals in Minneapolis.
WCCO’s Reg Chapman rode along to see what’s being done to cool some of the city’s hottest spots for crime.
It’s roll call for all local, county, state and federal law enforcement officers working together with a single focus: get the most violent offenders and guns off Minneapolis streets.
The day begins with a moment of silence for a comrade killed in the line of duty.
Then, a quick recap of last night’s activities. A warrant served on a violent offender resulting in a north Minneapolis standoff before an arrest.
“It’s allof these jurisdictions working together collaboratively to make sure that they can get the best result possible,” said Mayor Jacob Frey.
On the first two days of Operation Safe Summer, 13 guns were recovered and 44 people arrested.
“What’s so important is not just the illegal guns that are removed from the street, it’s all of the investigative efforts that go into addressing areas that have been problematic for violence, as well as specific people that we know have been active in causing harm in the community,” said Chief Brian O’Hara.
They concentrate on hot spots in the city and the violent criminals who operate there.
Criminal intelligence divisions from local, state and federal agencies work together to compile this information.
“They identify areas that we should be working, they identify targets. They really dig in deep into the intelligence so that we are really doing intelligence-led policing,” said Major Rick Palaia.
Photojournalist Chris Cruz and Chapman rode with an undercover Hennepin County deputy. He took them to hot spots in south Minneapolis.
“The Franklin corridor from Cedar to Lyndale and in the middle of that is Chicago and Franklin where there’s been a lot of shootings,” said the undercover eputy.
For his safety WCCO is not showing his face or naming him.
Cruz and Chapman witnessed a narcotics stop near that Chicago and Franklin corridor.
“Undercovers will do the investigation and then call in the marked units to make the stops,” said the undercover deputy.
In the past, law enforcement has taken guns and drugs and arrested the most violent offenders, and they hope to increase their efforts this summer.
Operation Safe Summer kicked off a bit later this year. It was supposed to start the day Minneapolis police officer Jamal Mitchell was killed in the line of duty.
The scene of the crash at 26th Avenue North and Emerson Avenue North in Minneapolis. (FOX 9)
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – A Minneapolis woman was sentenced for her role in a deadly crash that killed two women and injured two other people in December 2024.
READ MORE: Minneapolis woman charged in fatal high-speed crash faces additional charges
Woman sentenced in fatal Minneapolis crash
Big picture view:
Prosecutors say Teniki Steward drove a Buick Enclave into a bus shelter and a Ford Explorer after speeding through a red light.
Both of the women in the Ford Explorer died in the crash. They were identified as 53-year-old Ester Jean Fulks and 57-year-old Rose Elaine Reece.
During the crash, the Ford Explorer went off the road, injuring a 17-year-old boy who was waiting for a school bus.
The passenger in Steward’s vehicle also suffered injuries.
Minneapolis police said that Steward was also injured in the crash.
Steward pleaded guilty to multiple murder charges.
What they’re saying:
During the sentencing, the daughter of one of the victims had a statement read on her behalf:
“There’s nothing that can truly prepare you for the moment your entire world is taken from you. Losing my mom has left a pain in my heart that words will never be able to explain.”
What’s next:
Minnesota law requires that Steward serves at least two-thirds of her sentence, a bit under eight-and-a-half years, in prison.
Fatal Emerson and 26th crash
The backstory:
According to the criminal complaint, through surveillance videos from the scene of the crash and witnesses, investigators learned that Steward, driving the Buick Enclave, had been driving at a high rate of speed northbound on Emerson Avenue North.
Before the fatal crash, Steward sped through the intersection of Emerson Avenue North and Broadway Avenue North, running a red light and nearly causing a crash, the charges said.
Steward then continued to speed northbound down Emerson Avenue North, and ran another red light at 26th Avenue North, hitting the Ford Explorer, which was traveling eastbound, according to the complaint.
The Ford Explorer had been at the intersection of Emerson and 26th on a green light.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty shared the following statement:
“This was an egregious act that took Rose and Esther’s lives and injured a child waiting to go to school at a bus stop. Ms. Steward was driving at extremely dangerous speeds on city streets and narrowly avoided multiple collisions before the incident occurred. Third-degree murder charges are appropriate to hold her accountable and protect our community.”
The Source: This story uses information gathered from an Olmsted County court appearance and previous FOX 9 reporting.
A motorcyclist is dead after an early morning crash in Minneapolis Friday morning.
The Minnesota State Patrol said that at 1:20 a.m., a Suzuki Motorcycle going north on I-35W at Johnson Street hit the left side of the median guard rail.
The motorcycle continued north for about another quarter mile before coming to a rest on the right-hand side.
State Patrol said the rider came to rest on the left shoulder. He was later identified as 21-year-old Andrew James Neuberger.
ROCHESTER, Minn. (KTTC) – The Rochester Spartans boys volleyball team played its second game on consecutive nights. The Spartans beat Minneapolis Camden 3-0.
Rochester’s next game will be Tuesday, April 21, at St. Anthony Village at 7:00 p.m.
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