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Molotov cocktails thrown at Minneapolis ice cream shop displaying Pride flag. Pic added 👀. Suspect named.
Last edited Thu Oct 23, 2025, 07:47 AM - Edit history (7)
2 separate incidents 14 hours apart
2 Molotov cocktails thrown at northeast Minneapolis ice cream shop within 24 hours, CBS Minnesota, 10/20/25
An ice cream shop in northeast Minneapolis, built on inclusion, was targeted with a Molotov cocktail twice within 24 hours, according to police.
Fletcher's Ice Cream & Café in northeast Minneapolis is more than just your neighborhood ice cream shop. It was founded as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.
The first Molotov cocktail was thrown just after 10:30 p.m. Sunday. By Monday afternoon, another attack happened, leaving a bigger hole in the window.
Fletcher believes the Pride flag hanging outside is why someone targeted the shop. ... "I'd like to think it is not my flag, but it very well could be."
Police said the individual suspected of the attacks is in custody.
More: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/fletchers-ice-cream-cafe-minneapolis-molotov-cocktails/
An ice cream shop in northeast Minneapolis, built on inclusion, was targeted with a Molotov cocktail twice within 24 hours, according to police.
Fletcher's Ice Cream & Café in northeast Minneapolis is more than just your neighborhood ice cream shop. It was founded as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.
The first Molotov cocktail was thrown just after 10:30 p.m. Sunday. By Monday afternoon, another attack happened, leaving a bigger hole in the window.
Fletcher believes the Pride flag hanging outside is why someone targeted the shop. ... "I'd like to think it is not my flag, but it very well could be."
Police said the individual suspected of the attacks is in custody.
More: https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/fletchers-ice-cream-cafe-minneapolis-molotov-cocktails/
I found a Fletcher's Ice Cream & Cafe -- 306 E. Hennepin Ave.
at the corner of Univesity Ave. and E. Hennepin Ave.
next door to Mac's Industrial Sports Bar
across the street from Surdyk's Liquor and Cheese Shop
Despite everything, Fletcher plans to reopen on Tuesday with the flag flying proudly.
Edited to add: info from Star Tribune (no paywall at this MSN-hosted article)
https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/other/suspect-arrested-in-firebomb-attack-on-minneapolis-ice-cream-shop/ar-AA1ORBnb
. . . was targeted shortly after staff locked up for the night at about 10:45 p.m. Sunday, then again around 1 p.m. Monday, a day it is typically closed, owner Jason Fletcher said.
A motive has not yet been determined, police said,
Fletcher said someone got out of a minivan Sunday evening and threw a soda bottle containing an accelerant that was aflame. Fletcher said the bottle went through a window, spilled “fuel on a couple of chairs and caught them on fire.”
People from nearby Mac’s Industrial Sports Bar dashed to the scene and put the fire out, Fletcher said.
The last of the shop’s employees had left about six minutes earlier, Fletcher said.
In Monday’s incident, the same person “did the same thing. But the wick fell out,” Fletcher said.
Fletcher said the bottle cracked one of the window panes but did not go through.
A motive has not yet been determined, police said,
Fletcher said someone got out of a minivan Sunday evening and threw a soda bottle containing an accelerant that was aflame. Fletcher said the bottle went through a window, spilled “fuel on a couple of chairs and caught them on fire.”
People from nearby Mac’s Industrial Sports Bar dashed to the scene and put the fire out, Fletcher said.
The last of the shop’s employees had left about six minutes earlier, Fletcher said.
In Monday’s incident, the same person “did the same thing. But the wick fell out,” Fletcher said.
Fletcher said the bottle cracked one of the window panes but did not go through.
Hmm, this Einstein doesn't get better with experience.
Seems like this person's philosophy is "If at first you don't get caught, try try again"
Edited to add
Arson charges filed in Fletcher’s Ice Cream firebombings, KSTP, 10/22/25
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/arson-charges-filed-in-fletchers-ice-cream-firebombings/
Firomsa Ahmed Umar, 30, of Fridley is charged with two counts of first-degree arson in connection with the firebombings at Fletcher’s Ice Cream & Cafe on Hennepin Avenue East.
A witness to the incident on Monday saw the arsonist throw the firebomb through the window of the ice cream shop before driving away in a Honda Odyssey, charging documents state. A recording of the earlier attack showed the suspect leaving in the same car.
Police linked the Honda to Umar, and his photos matched with the firebomber captured in surveillance footage.
Umar was stopped in the Honda a couple of miles southeast from the ice cream shop and was taken into custody. Police found a gas canister on the front passenger seat.
Charging documents note that Fletcher’s abuts a building with residential space, a factor that could bring a more severe criminal penalty.
Umar remains in custody at the Hennepin County Jail on $100,000 bail. His first court appearance is set for Thursday.
A spokesperson for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office on Wednesday said current evidence does not support charging this incident as a bias-motivated crime, but the case remains under investigation.
Minneapolis City Council Member Michael Rainville, who represents Fletcher’s in Ward 3, sent an email to constituents on Tuesday encouraging people to come out to Fletcher’s for a “Neighborhood Safety Rally” at 6 p.m. Thursday.
(emphasis added)
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/local-news/arson-charges-filed-in-fletchers-ice-cream-firebombings/
Firomsa Ahmed Umar, 30, of Fridley is charged with two counts of first-degree arson in connection with the firebombings at Fletcher’s Ice Cream & Cafe on Hennepin Avenue East.
A witness to the incident on Monday saw the arsonist throw the firebomb through the window of the ice cream shop before driving away in a Honda Odyssey, charging documents state. A recording of the earlier attack showed the suspect leaving in the same car.
Police linked the Honda to Umar, and his photos matched with the firebomber captured in surveillance footage.
Umar was stopped in the Honda a couple of miles southeast from the ice cream shop and was taken into custody. Police found a gas canister on the front passenger seat.
Charging documents note that Fletcher’s abuts a building with residential space, a factor that could bring a more severe criminal penalty.
Umar remains in custody at the Hennepin County Jail on $100,000 bail. His first court appearance is set for Thursday.
A spokesperson for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office on Wednesday said current evidence does not support charging this incident as a bias-motivated crime, but the case remains under investigation.
Minneapolis City Council Member Michael Rainville, who represents Fletcher’s in Ward 3, sent an email to constituents on Tuesday encouraging people to come out to Fletcher’s for a “Neighborhood Safety Rally” at 6 p.m. Thursday.
Charges accuse man of firebombing northeast Minneapolis ice cream shop, CBS, 10/23/25
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/arson-charges-fletchers-minneapolis-ice-cream-shop-firebombing/
. . . Several witnesses said the assailant fled in a Honda Odyssey and reported the license plate to police.
Authorities used security footage and a photograph of the vehicle's registered owner to identify the Fridley man as a suspect in both incidents.
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/arson-charges-fletchers-minneapolis-ice-cream-shop-firebombing/
. . . Several witnesses said the assailant fled in a Honda Odyssey and reported the license plate to police.
Authorities used security footage and a photograph of the vehicle's registered owner to identify the Fridley man as a suspect in both incidents.
Pic of the suspect is at this BringMeTheNews story
https://bringmethenews.com/minnesota-news/man-charged-with-arson-following-firebombing-attacks-on-minneapolis-ice-cream-shop
The BringMeTheNews article doesn't have any more info than what is above.
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Thank You & Fletcher
