Judge grants TRO barring encampments on Sabri Minneapolis properties
A Hennepin County judge granted a temporary restraining order barring homeless encampments on any Minneapolis properties owned by Hamoudi Sabri, following the city’s lawsuit over alleged public nuisance conditions at his East Lake Street and 28th Avenue South lot and a mass shooting there that injured seven. The ruling followed failed talks over the duration of restrictions (the city sought 90 days; Sabri 30) and came amid heightened police patrols and new fencing; Mayor Jacob Frey called it the right call, while Sabri said he is weighing next legal steps and criticized the city’s handling of homelessness. The city says it spent about $50,000 clearing the site and plans to seek reimbursement, after earlier issuing roughly $15,000 in citations and reporting that crews were initially blocked from cleanup.
Key Facts
- Vote: Minneapolis City Council approved litigation 6-4 on Sept. 8, 2025
- Location: Parking lot at East Lake St. & 28th Ave. S., Minneapolis
- Allegations: drug paraphernalia, lack of clean water/sanitation, open fires, hazardous debris, unsafe structures
- Encampment size: ~20 people within two days; up to 45 at peak
- Enforcement: City crews were refused access during an Aug. 26 cleanup attempt
- Penalties: Approximately $15,000 in citations and late fees
- Legal status: Lawsuit filed in Hennepin County; emergency judicial assignment requested; hearing TBD
Sources (6)
- Vote: Minneapolis City Council approved litigation 6-4 on Sept. 8, 2025
- Location: Parking lot at East Lake St. & 28th Ave. S., Minneapolis
- Allegations: drug paraphernalia, lack of clean water/sanitation, open fires, hazardous debris, unsafe structures