Minnesota U.S. Attorney, FBI, ATF and Secret Service meet with Minneapolis police chief to curb violent crime increase

The U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Erica MacDonald hosted a meeting with Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo and several federal law enforcement agencies to map out a plan to curb a recent spike in violent crime in Minneapolis.

The Wednesday afternoon meeting happened at the Minneapolis Federal Courthouse building and it included MacDonald, Arradondo, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Secret Service, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, St. Paul Police and the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office.

After the meeting, BCA Superintendent Drew Evans declined to comment but did say the state agency was involved in the talks and is eager to help in any way needed.

"I cannot really talk about it right now," said Evans. "But, we met with the U.S. Attorney's Office and we are always here to assist local law enforcement across Minnesota whenever violent crime is happening."

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Hennepin County Sheriff Dave Hutchinson told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS the meeting was held to assist the unified command in its efforts to stop the recent surge in violent crimes after the death of George Floyd.

"The federal agencies will assist with intelligence and case building," said Hutchinson. "And, the U.S. Attorney is there for charging some of the people we are arresting with federal crimes—federal crimes related to gun crimes."

One person who attended the meeting, but spoke on the condition of anonymity, told KSTP they plan to start rounding up the suspects in Minneapolis and Hennepin County beginning Friday.