Staples man charged with arson in Minneapolis Police 3rd Precinct fire

Bryce Michael Williams, 26, of Staples has been charged with conspiracy to commit arson at the Minneapolis Police Department 3rd Precinct.

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney's Office, Williams was arrested on Tuesday and made his first appearance in front of a judge on Wednesday.

According to the complaint, on May 28, the Minneapolis Police Department 3rd Precinct was overrun and damaged due to arson and vandalism. Investigation into the arson identified multiple separate fires in the building. Investigators identified Williams in surveillance footage from the third precinct as wearing a mask, baseball cap and hooded sweatshirt. Williams can be seen standing near the entrance of the third precinct with a Molotov cocktail in his hand while others attempt to light the wick.

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The allegations go on to say that on May 28 and 29 Williams posted videos of himself to his TikTok account showing him standing in front of the burning precinct building wearing clothing consistent with the clothing he was wearing in the surveillance video.

A phone identified as Williams' pinged near the precinct on the night of the arson, according to the complaint.

The ATF and FBI urge the public to report suspected arson. Specific information related to the third precinct arson or other business fires in the Twin Cities as a result of the unrest following George Floyd's death can call 1-888-ATF-TIPS or email ATFTips@atf.gov.