Violence interrupter hurt in gunfire exchange on Minneapolis' North Side

[sarisataka]

Violence interrupter hurt in gunfire exchange on Minneapolis’ North Side

The founder of Minneapolis-based violence interrupter group 21 Days of Peace confirmed one of his own was hurt in a shooting on Monday night.

It happened just after 9:30 p.m. near 36th and Penn Avenues North, and a man in his 30s was taken to the hospital, according to police.

He was recovering at home as of Tuesday afternoon after being shot in the shoulder and grazed in the neck, said 21 Days of Peace Founder Rev. Jerry McAfee.

“They said he was fine, you know, sedated a bit… so probably still in shock,” he continued.

https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news/violence-interrupter-hurt-in-gunfire-exchange-on-minneapolis-north-side/

Hopefully the victim will fully recover; these people are doing good work.

I found this from later in the article to be odd:

This incident raised questions over whether violence interrupters are allowed to be armed. McAfee said his policy is no firearms on the job, but they were off the clock.

It seems to me to be counter-intuitive to send out armed violence interrupters. At that point they are becoming more like police/security.

[progree]

1. Some more. Yes, the team member/victim was armed and shot back

“I had gotten the message that everybody clocked out. You know, we’re through for the night,” McAfee said.

The last couple of violence interrupters were getting ready to leave when more than one person emerged from the alley and started shooting, hitting his team member who returned fire, McAfee said.

...

21 Days of Peace was not working under city contract on Monday, and [Minneapolis police chief] O’Hara confirmed the victim was a lawful gun owner. “So there’s nothing that I have right now that suggests he did anything wrong,” the chief said.

... McAfee said this was not the first time he or his team have been shot at, but it’s the first time someone was hurt.

"At that point they are becoming more like police/security."

or vigilantes

[progree]

2. Violence Interrupter, who was shot, is in jail -- for shooting back

https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/violence-interrupter-in-jail-days-after-being-shot/
WCCO March 15

The city of Minneapolis relies on volunteers known as violence interrupters to help keep the peace in the neighborhood, but Saturday night one of them is in jail — just days after he himself was shot.

A 21 Days of Peace worker, wrapping up a day of service near 36th and Penn, when he was shot.

"From the wounds I saw from the pictures, the one must have come through the back, then he gets one in the neck, then one in the stomach," said Rev. Jerry McAfee.

Police haven't found the person responsible.

But Friday, the worker himself arrested. Booked on pending charges of reckless endangerment — for shooting back in the moment.

MPD declined to comment Saturday afternoon.

"He's licensed, they know he's hit, the wounds are there that show he's been shot, and he gets arrested," said McAfee. "He's not a felon, he's a father, he's a husband that's been trying to help.

. . . The worker has not been charged.

[sarisataka]

3. He has been charged with reckless endangerment

Since this appear to be open and shut self-defense (based on the reporting) I think there is a piece of info that has not been made public yet.

[progree]

4. Has he? I can't find anything where he's been charged

the latest I've seen is, like in my #2: "Booked on pending charges of reckless endangerment"

maybe it's a small point, a distinction without much difference, I dunno

[sarisataka]

5. Ope, you are correct

I saw the update on the article regarding the contract for the violence interrupters. It said the arrest is on "suspicion" of reckless endangerment, but the formal charge has not been filed.