Ramsey County seeks gang injunction, 'Safety Zone' at State Fair
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a civil lawsuit asking a court to declare two groups criminal gangs and create a "Safety Zone" at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds.[1]
The suit names the groups as The Ville and Muddy and asks the court to declare them a public nuisance.[1] The proposed injunction would bar alleged members from associating with each other or intimidating people inside the zone and would allow officers to arrest violators without the usual probable-cause standard.[1] Court filings cite prior violent incidents, including a Metro State graduation shooting and a separate incident outside the Fair, as evidence of escalating retaliatory gang violence.[1]
The filings also acknowledge it is unclear how alleged members would be identified or how the injunction could be enforced amid the crowds at the State Fair.[1]
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📌 Key Facts
- Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed a civil lawsuit targeting alleged gangs 'The Ville' and 'Muddy'.
- The suit asks the court to designate the State Fairgrounds and nearby area as a 'Safety Zone' and to declare the two groups criminal gangs and a public nuisance.
- The injunction would prohibit alleged members from associating with each other or intimidating anyone in the zone and would allow arrests for violations without standard probable cause.
- Court filings cite prior violent incidents, including a Metro State graduation shooting and an incident outside the State Fair, as evidence of escalating retaliatory gang violence.
- Officials admit it is unclear how gang members will be identified or how the injunction would be enforced amid the crowds at the Minnesota State Fair.
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