Similar ‘physical characteristics’ led to mistaken arrest in attack on shelter, Mpls. police say

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has dropped criminal charges against a man whom Minneapolis police mistakenly identified as an accomplice in a recent attack on a homeless shelter.

The swift reversal on Tuesday saw the dismissal in Hennepin County District Court of two counts of second-degree assault, illegal weapons possession, threats of violence and second-degree riot in connection with the Sept. 5 attack on St. Anne’s Place at 2634 Russell Av. N.

“We have recently learned from our law enforcement partners at [the Minneapolis Police Department] that [the man] was misidentified as the suspect in the St. Anne’s Place attack who pistol-whipped two people and fired a gun,” a statement from the County Attorney’s Office read. Police “shared this information with us right away as part of their ongoing investigation, and upon learning this information, we immediately began the process of filing a written dismissal.”

The statement said the man, who was arrested Friday, would be released from jail “as soon as possible.” He was released Tuesday evening, according to the jail’s online inmate roster.

In a statement acknowledging the misidentification, police said they have identified a different suspect whom they have yet to arrest.

Police investigators explained that the misidentified man “and the new suspect share several physical characteristics.” The statement continued but did not offer specifics about the characteristics.

“The two also have a similar relationship with a witness to the assault and drive a similar vehicle,” the statement continued.

While police cleared the man jailed and charged, their statement did allege that he’s a suspect in an incident on Aug. 4 at St. Anne’s Place. Police did not offer details about that event.

So far, one person is charged stemming from the attack. Eureka D. Riser, 33, of Minneapolis was arrested Thursday and is charged with second-degree riot with a dangerous weapon and first-degree damage to property.

Riser, also known as Eureka Willis, is alleged to have been among at least three people who went to St. Anne’s Place and threatened residents, smashing doors with a baseball bat. According to police, an argument between shelter residents and neighbors led to the violence, resulting in at least one assault and gunfire damage to a vehicle.

Residents were forced to vacate the shelter, leaving the building boarded up with plywood and watched over by armed security. Building managers estimate that property damage amounts to more than $10,000, according to the County Attorney’s Office.

Hoang Murphy, CEO of People Serving People, which operates the shelter, said last week that the four-hour episode was the culmination of an argument between shelter residents and neighbors over street parking that started days earlier and spilled over into violence.

According to the criminal complaint, which cites surveillance footage, Riser allegedly swung a baseball bat against the shelter’s doors, shattering glass while residents were inside. Residents had to relocate to a hotel for safety reasons, costing People Serving People $9,000 a night.