Tuesday June 3, 2025
Hamza Abdirashid Said, 20, of Coon Rapids, is seen in a booking photo released by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office. Said has been charged with first- and second-degree assault and possession of a machine gun in connection with a shooting that injured two people outside the Wayzata High School graduation ceremony at the University of Minnesota's Mariucci Arena on May 30, 2025.
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota (HOL) — A 20-year-old man has been charged after allegedly shooting two people outside Wayzata High School’s graduation ceremony at the University of Minnesota’s Mariucci Arena, including a Somali-American father who was attending to celebrate his child’s milestone.
Hamza Abdirashid Said, of Coon Rapids, is facing three felony charges: first-degree assault, second-degree assault, and illegal possession of a machine gun. The shooting happened shortly after 8:20 p.m. on May 30, as families were leaving the graduation event.
Surveillance footage captured Said pulling up his clothing, reaching into his waistband, and opening fire near the east entrance of the arena. Prosecutors say he fired multiple rounds during a brief altercation, then fled southbound, discarding a black gown and a modified Glock 17 handgun in the bushes near Williams Arena.
One of the victims, a 49-year-old father, suffered a gunshot wound to the head. He told police he heard a commotion behind him and was fleeing with his family when he felt a burning sensation on his head and collapsed. Doctors later diagnosed him with a fractured skull and brain bleed. He has since been released from the hospital.
The second victim, a 19-year-old man, was shot in the leg. Authorities said he has refused to cooperate with investigators. Neither victim is known to have a connection to Said, and police have not confirmed if the suspect was inside the graduation ceremony.
University of Minnesota police arrested Said shortly after the shooting on Pleasant Street Southeast. Officers recovered the discarded firearm, which had an automatic conversion device and an extended magazine attached.
Wayzata Public Schools Superintendent Chace Anderson confirmed that one of the victims was a parent of a graduate and emphasized that security measures had been in place. “At this point, we have not been able to confirm any connection between the shooter or the second victim and our graduation ceremony,” Anderson said. He added that the district is reviewing safety protocols and offering counseling to students.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz condemned the violence, calling the incident “horrific” and saying the state was prepared to assist local authorities.
The investigation remains ongoing. No motive has been publicly identified.