Four Minneapolis Men, Arson Conspiracy, MN 2020

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The smoldering remains of the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct weren’t just a symbol of rage in the summer of 2020; they were the product of deliberate criminal action, federal prosecutors allege. Today, United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald announced a federal indictment charging four men with conspiracy to commit arson – a crime that fueled the chaos that gripped the city.

DYLAN SHAKESPEARE ROBINSON, 22, of Brainerd, Minn., DAVON DE-ANDRE TURNER, 24, of St. Paul, Minn., BYRCE MICHAEL WILLIAMS, 26, of Staples, Minn., and BRANDEN MICHAEL WOLFE, 23, of St. Paul, Minn., are each facing one count of conspiracy to commit arson. ROBINSON and WOLFE were previously hit with charges via criminal complaint for aiding and abetting arson, and WILLIAMS was previously charged with conspiracy to commit arson. Formal detention and arraignment dates have not yet been scheduled.

The indictment alleges that on May 28, 2020, the four men joined hundreds of protestors gathered at the Third Precinct. The atmosphere quickly turned volatile, with the crowd chanting, “Burn it down, burn it down.” According to the government’s claims, the group tore down a perimeter fence, breaching the building. Once inside, the indictment details specific actions: ROBINSON, with the help of an unidentified accomplice, allegedly ignited an incendiary device and tossed it toward the building. TURNER and WILLIAMS, assisted by another unnamed individual, allegedly lit a Molotov cocktail and brought it *inside* the precinct to start a fire. WOLFE, the indictment claims, pushed a barrel into an existing fire at the building’s entrance, deliberately accelerating the blaze.

The feds aren’t letting this go. The ATF and FBI are still actively seeking information related to the fire and other destructive acts during the unrest. They’re asking anyone with knowledge of the Third Precinct fire or other business fires in the Twin Cities to come forward. Tips can be submitted to 1-888-ATF-TIPS (1-888-283-8477), ATFTips@atf.gov, or anonymously through ReportIt.com. The FBI is also hunting for individuals who may have incited violence, and encourages the submission of digital evidence through 1-800-CALLFBI (800-225-5324) or tips.fbi.gov.

This investigation is a joint effort by the ATF, FBI, Minneapolis Police Department, and the Minnesota State Fire Marshal Division. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Harry M. Jacobs and David P. Steinkamp are prosecuting the case. The Grimy Times will continue to monitor the proceedings and deliver the unvarnished truth.

It’s crucial to remember that these are merely allegations at this point. Each of the defendants – ROBINSON, TURNER, WILLIAMS, and WOLFE – is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. But the government’s case, if proven, paints a picture of calculated destruction at the heart of a city already reeling from unrest.