46 Minnesota agencies coordinate response to suburban gang shootings

A coalition of 46 federal, state and local law enforcement agencies is preparing a coordinated framework to address a surge in gang- and group-related shootings and violence in Minnesota’s Twin Cities suburbs. The effort is to combine agencies’ resources, including those of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, FBI, ATF and Bloomington police, with work already underway as agreements are finalized. The plan follows high-profile shootings in Edina, Eden Prairie and Bloomington. Police have described some as linked to conflicts among loosely organized groups of Somali teenagers and young adults, often fueled by social media disputes. That characterization has drawn both support and concern that focusing on Somali gangs could unfairly stigmatize a broader community for the actions of a small number of young people. No named officials or verbatim quotes are in the record. Rated coverage includes left and center outlets only.