Judge grants TRO barring encampments on Sabri Minneapolis properties
A Hennepin County judge on Tuesday granted a temporary restraining order barring homeless encampments on any Minneapolis properties owned by Hamoudi Sabri after negotiations between Sabri and the city broke down and following a Sept. 16 mass shooting near E. Lake St. that injured seven people. Mayor Jacob Frey said the TRO lets the city close encampments once services and shelter are offered; city crews cleared the site, estimate the cleanup cost about $50,000 and may seek reimbursement, and police have increased patrols and placed fencing around the area. Sabri says he plans to convert the cleared lot into a "hygiene and outreach hub," has not obtained required permits, faces possible citations if he violates the order, and is weighing further legal action while criticizing the city's homelessness response.
📌 Key Facts
- On Sept. 24 a Hennepin County judge granted a temporary restraining order barring homeless encampments on any Minneapolis properties owned by Hamoudi Sabri.
- The TRO follows a Sept. 16 mass shooting near E. Lake St. and 28th Ave. S. that injured seven people; the shooting prompted heightened MPD patrols, fencing in the Lake Street area and a city-led cleanup of the encampment.
- City crews cleared the lot after the shooting; the city estimates that cleanup cost about $50,000 and plans to ask the court to require Sabri to reimburse that amount. The judge has ordered Sabri to keep the site clean pending a ruling and the lot is currently cleared.
- Negotiations between the city and Sabri collapsed over the duration of restrictions (the city sought up to 90 days; Sabri offered 30). Earlier Sabri had agreed not to reopen the encampment while the matter was resolved, but talks later broke down and the case returned to the judge.
- Sabri says he is converting the former encampment site at E. Lake St. and 28th Ave. S. into a 'temporary hygiene and outreach hub' to connect unhoused residents with services; the city says Sabri has not obtained required permits, the lot is blocked by temporary orange construction fencing, and officials warn they will issue citations and pursue swift court action if the TRO is violated.
- Sabri is weighing next legal steps and is scheduled to appear in Hennepin County civil court on Nov. 13, when his attorneys plan to argue to dismiss the city's case.
- Mayor Jacob Frey called the TRO 'the right call,' saying it enables the city to close encampments once services and shelter are offered. The city also emphasizes declining local homelessness rates relative to national averages, while Sabri has criticized the city's use of homelessness funds and alleged city workers discarded a woman’s daughter’s ashes during the cleanup.
- Background: the City of Minneapolis declared the encampment a public-health nuisance on July 21 after the population reportedly grew from about 20 residents to roughly 60 within a week.
📰 Sources (8)
Minneapolis property owner in court over homeless encampment
New information:
- Hamoudi Sabri is set to appear in Hennepin County civil court on Thursday, Nov. 13, where his attorneys will argue to dismiss the city’s case.
- City timeline details: Minneapolis declared the encampment a public health nuisance on July 21 after population grew from about 20 residents within two days to roughly 60 within a week.
- FOX 9 reiterates the city’s position that homelessness rates in Minneapolis have fallen below national averages, countering Sabri’s criticism of city policy.
Former Minneapolis encampment site being turned into 'hygiene and outreach hub' by owner
New information:
- Owner Hamoudi Sabri says he is converting the former encampment lot at E. Lake St. and 28th Ave. S. into a 'temporary hygiene and outreach hub' to connect unhoused residents with services and case managers.
- The City of Minneapolis states Sabri has not obtained required permits or land-use approvals and warns it will issue citations/fines for unpermitted use and pursue swift court action if the TRO is violated.
- The lot is currently blocked by temporary orange construction fencing; FOX 9 attributes details to a Sabri news release and city statement.
Judge grants temporary restraining order against Sabri homeless encampments
New information:
- A judge granted a temporary restraining order on Tuesday barring homeless encampments on any Minneapolis properties owned by Hamoudi Sabri.
- Mayor Jacob Frey issued a statement calling the TRO 'the right call' and saying it enables the city to close encampments once services and shelter are offered.
- Hamoudi Sabri responded that he is weighing next legal steps and criticized the city for alleged mismanagement of homelessness funds.
- Negotiations stalled over the duration of restrictions: the city sought 90 days while Sabri proposed 30.
- The ruling follows a Sept. 16 mass shooting near 28th Ave S. and E. Lake St. that injured seven, reinforcing the city’s public-safety rationale.
Minneapolis homeless encampment negotiations break up
New information:
- Negotiations between Minneapolis and property owner Hamoudi Sabri collapsed on Monday.
- Dispute centered on timeline: the city sought up to 90 days (into December); Sabri would agree to only 30 days.
- Judge has ordered Sabri to keep the site clean pending a ruling; the lot is currently cleared.
- With talks ended, the case is back in the judge’s hands and a ruling could come at any time.
Judge holds off on issuing order in Minneapolis encampment case
New information:
- A Hennepin County judge postponed deciding on the City of Minneapolis’ temporary restraining order request until Monday.
- Property owner Hamoudi Sabri agreed not to reopen the encampment or establish another until the matter is resolved; the judge instructed both sides to seek an agreement.
- Senior Assistant City Attorney Sharda Enslin described the situation as 'dire' and argued a court order is needed to prevent repeated re-formation of the encampment.
- The city estimates Tuesday’s cleanup cost about $50,000 and plans to ask the court to require Sabri to reimburse that amount.
- Sabri alleged city workers discarded a woman’s daughter’s ashes during the cleanup and criticized the lack of a plan for displaced people.
- Context noted that a Monday night shooting at the encampment injured seven people, four critically, which police linked to a narcotics dispute.
Minneapolis ramps up police presence, erects fences following 2 mass shootings along Lake Street
New information:
- The city has placed fencing around the Lake Street area tied to the encampment site as part of its safety response.
- MPD has heightened patrols in and around the encampment area following the mass shooting there.
- Indicates active, on-the-ground control measures while the lawsuit and TRO process proceed.
Mass shooting at Minneapolis homeless encampment injures 7 people
New information:
- A court hearing is scheduled for Sept. 17 on a temporary restraining order related to the encampment.
- Mayor Frey said the encampment remains under police control until a TRO can be granted.
- City crews began clearing the encampment hours after the shooting.
- Frey’s on-record stance: “We’ll see you in court,” signaling continued litigation with owner Hamoudi Sabri.