Charges: 4 arrested with ghost guns after trying to enter Coon Rapids homecoming game

Krystal Frasier/Josh Skluzacek KSTP

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A group of people attempting to enter the Coon Rapids homecoming game Thursday night was apprehended by police thanks to a tipster, according to the principal of Coon Rapids High School.

In a letter sent to families obtained by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Principal John Peña says a small group of people were arrested during a traffic stop that happened across from the school stadium, where a homecoming game was being played.

Coon Rapids police say four people are currently in custody — two adult men and two boys. A fifth person, also identified as a male, was also arrested but was later released.

The four who remained in custody were formally charged Friday, and the charging documents noted that four “ghost guns” — which don’t have serial numbers — were found in their vehicle, including one that had an auto switch to make it fully automatic.

Ishmail Sieh Kamara, 19, from Coon Rapids, and 19-year-old Josiah Tababo Wesseh, Jr., are each charged with possession of a dangerous weapon on school property and having a gun without a serial number. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

Ishmail Kamara (left) and Josiah Wesseh, Jr. (Anoka County Jail)

The two boys, ages 16 and 17, were formally charged in juvenile court with ineligible gun possession and having a gun without a serial number, the Anoka County Attorney’s Office confirmed.

The letter goes on to say the group of people was denied entrance to the game earlier in the evening since they didn’t attend either Coon Rapids High School or any other Anoka-Hennepin school. Coon Rapids police add this happened during the first half of the game.

According to Peña, the district had recently increased security procedures at events, limiting entrance to students at participating schools with identification, as well as adult supervision for younger students, among others.

Police add the group repeatedly tried to enter the stadium but were unsuccessful. They were eventually escorted from the premises by both police and Anoka-Hennepin staff.

However, that’s when police were alerted by a concerned citizen that the group was talking about guns and one of those in the group had a gun in his waistband. Officers then found three guns in a vehicle they say was determined to be connected to the group in the stadium’s parking lot.

Police go on to say the group tried to leave the area in a second vehicle across the street, but it was stopped by squad cars. Officers say a fourth gun was found in that vehicle.

No shots were fired during the incident, and all suspects were arrested without incident, police add.

Coon Rapids isn’t the only school district to update security policies at athletic events this fall. As previously reported, the Richfield, Minneapolis, Bloomington and Edina school districts say they are working together to make sure security is increased at sporting events.

The security increase comes after a shooting outside of a Richfield football game in September.

Initially, a 15-year-old Richfield High School student, as well as a 16-year-old former Richfield High School student, were arrested in connection to the shooting.

However, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office later confirmed the 16-year-old was released from custody but added the 15-year-old who had been arrested was charged. As previously reported, the case isn’t public due to the teen’s age.