MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Two men, Hamza Abdirashiid Said, 20, and Amiir Mawlid Ali, 18, have been federally charged with the unlawful possession of machineguns following two separate but related shooting incidents at high school graduation ceremonies in the Twin Cities area.
Wayzata Graduation Shooting – May 30, 2025
On the evening of May 30, University of Minnesota Police responded to a shooting outside Mariucci Arena, where the Wayzata High School graduation ceremony was taking place. Upon arrival, officers encountered a chaotic scene and located two victims suffering from gunshot wounds.
Through witness interviews and video surveillance, authorities identified Hamza Said as the shooter. He was taken into custody and found in possession of a Glock 9mm pistol, equipped with a 33-round extended magazine and an illegal machinegun conversion device, commonly known as a “switch.” These devices enable semi-automatic pistols to fire fully automatic—qualifying them as machineguns under federal law.
Said has been charged via federal criminal complaint for unlawful possession of a machinegun.
Burnsville-Linked Arrest – June 3–6, 2025
Just four days later, on June 3, Minneapolis Police stopped a vehicle for traffic violations and immediately recognized the front passenger as Amiir Mawlid Ali—a known individual connected to recent gang activity and firearm offenses. The stop occurred as the group was reportedly headed to the Edina High School graduation ceremony—also held at Mariucci Arena.
A Glock 10mm pistol, equipped with a machinegun conversion device and a loaded 33-round magazine, was recovered from beneath Ali’s seat. He was released temporarily, but on June 6, police arrested Ali near the scene of another shooting—this time during the Burnsville High School graduation—in connection with that investigation.
In jail calls, Ali was recorded saying he would need to get a “button,” slang for another machinegun conversion device, upon his release. He now faces federal charges for unlawful possession of a machinegun.
U.S. Attorney’s Statement
“High school graduations are moments of celebration, unity, and achievement—not violence,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson. “To bring machineguns to these ceremonies is not only dangerous and criminal—it’s immoral. Our office is committed to pursuing the fullest prosecution possible to ensure accountability.”
Ongoing Investigation
Said and Ali both appeared before U.S. Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty and remain in custody pending detention hearings.
These charges are the result of a coordinated investigation involving the ATF, FBI Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Minneapolis Police Department, and the University of Minnesota Police Department.
Law enforcement is continuing its efforts to prevent gun violence at community events and urges anyone with additional information to contact authorities immediately.
