Edina police ID suspect in noose incident, investigation ongoing

Police in Edina say they’ve identified a person of interest after a noose was found at the Edina Community Center this week.

A community center staff member found the noose hanging in one of the courtyards Tuesday morning.

Police had asked for the community’s help to identify a person seen on surveillance footage. Friday, police said, thanks to the public’s help, a teenage boy was identified as a suspect in the case.

According to the department, the investigation remains active.

Edina Public Schools Superintendent Stacie Stanley sent an email to families Friday regarding the police department’s update.

In it, Stanley wrote the district was “thankful for the progress the Edina Police Department has made in this case and appreciate their ongoing partnership.”

The message went on to say that the “events are difficult and painful for everyone in the Edina Public Schools family, and especially for our staff and families of color”, adding the district is committed to do everything possible to ensure physical and psychological safety.

Earlier in the week, a letter was sent to families that condemned acts of racism and hate.

Stanley also encouraged community members to attend One Town, One Family sessions to join conversations to “demonstrate that these acts of hate and harm do not reflect who we are.”

The next session will be held on Thursday, September 22, from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Edina High School Cafeteria.