St. Paul, Minn. – Hamza Abdirashiid Said, 20, and Amiir Mawlid Ali, 18, have been charged federally with unlawfully possessing machineguns. The announcement was made by Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
Court documents reveal that on May 30, 2025, University of Minnesota Police responded to a shooting at the Mariucci Arena during the Wayzata High School graduation ceremony. Officers found two victims with gunshot wounds and arrested Hamza Said after reviewing surveillance footage. A Glock 9mm pistol with a high-capacity magazine and a machinegun conversion device was recovered from him. Said is charged with unlawful possession of a machinegun.
On June 3, 2025, Minneapolis Police stopped a vehicle for traffic violations and identified Amiir Ali as one of the occupants. Known for his association with gang-related shootings, Ali had a Glock 10mm firearm equipped with an extended magazine and a conversion device under his seat. He was later arrested in connection to another shooting on June 6 at Burnsville High School’s graduation ceremony. Recorded jail calls revealed Ali’s intent to acquire another conversion device upon release. He faces similar federal charges as Said.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson stated: “High school graduation ceremonies are a rite of passage… To bring machineguns and violence to such a ceremony is immoral and shameful.” He assured that the perpetrators would be prosecuted fully.
Said and Ali appeared in U.S. District Court before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty and remain detained pending hearings.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Explosives; FBI Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force; Bureau of Criminal Apprehension; Minneapolis Police Department; and University of Minnesota Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristian C. Weir is handling prosecution duties.
It is important to note that these complaints are allegations until proven otherwise in court.
