Weekend Homicides Continue Bloody End of Year Stretch In Minneapolis

(KNSI) – Minneapolis’ violent crime surge continued through the holiday weekend.

Shootings occurred on consecutive nights on East Lake Street. No one was killed on Friday evening, but Saturday’s incident left 16-year-old Isayah Coburn dead and a 29-year-old woman injured.

A 30-year-old woman was taken into custody Sunday morning for allegedly stabbing a man to death inside a home in the Minnehaha neighborhood. The 46-year-old victim has not been identified yet.

It continues what has been the deadliest December for the city in years. The crime dashboard now shows 2023 ahead of 2022 for total homicides when you factor in negligent killings. Assaults and motor vehicle thefts are also above last year’s levels.

The crime wave has public safety officials scrambling to stem the tide. On Christmas Eve, the Metro Transit Police Department put out a statement saying that it would increase patrols around the Lake Street Station, which has been a hub of criminal activity for years.

Metro Transit Police Chief Ernest Morales III says, “We welcome this partnership with Minneapolis Police. We must all work together to combat and bring an end to this senseless and tragic violence. While Friday and Saturday’s shootings did not occur on transit property, Metro Transit Police is always prepared and willing to help protect every city in our jurisdiction.”

___