Two Men Charged Federally with Possessing Machineguns Following Series of Graduation Ceremony Shootings
ST PAUL, MINNESOTA: Two men have been federally charged with unlawful possession of machineguns in connection with a string of violent incidents surrounding local high school graduation ceremonies, according to an announcement from Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson.
Hamza Abdirashiid Said, 20, and Amiir Mawlid Ali, 18, are facing federal charges following separate firearm-related incidents that took place near University of Minnesota facilities where multiple high school graduation ceremonies were held in recent weeks. The federal complaint alleges both men were in possession of illegal "switch" devices—machinegun conversion devices that can convert semi-automatic pistols into fully automatic weapons.
May 30: Shooting at Wayzata High School Graduation
The first incident occurred on May 30, 2025, just after 8:00 p.m., when University of Minnesota Police responded to a shooting near Mariucci Arena. The arena was hosting the Wayzata High School graduation ceremony at the time, and hundreds of attendees were gathered in and around the venue.
Responding officers found a chaotic scene and two victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Both were attendees of the ceremony. After reviewing surveillance footage and speaking with witnesses, law enforcement identified Hamza Said as the alleged shooter. He was located and apprehended by police.
Officers recovered a Glock 9mm semiautomatic pistol from the scene. The firearm was equipped with a 33-round high-capacity magazine and a machinegun conversion device, commonly known as a "switch." The device enables the weapon to fire automatically—effectively turning it into a machinegun.
Said has been charged by federal criminal complaint with unlawful possession of a machinegun, a violation of federal firearms laws.
June 6: Armed Encounter Before Edina High School Graduation
Just four days later, on June 3, 2025, Minneapolis Police officers stopped a vehicle that had failed to halt at an intersection and then accelerated erratically. The vehicle's windows were so heavily tinted that officers could not see inside. Upon stopping the vehicle, officers identified Amiir Ali as the front passenger—someone known to police from multiple prior gang-related investigations and believed to carry firearms regularly.
The occupants of the vehicle reportedly told police they were headed to the Edina High School graduation ceremony, also held at the University of Minnesota. Aware of the May 30 shooting, officers searched and located a Glock 10mm semiautomatic pistol under Ali’s seat. The gun was outfitted with a loaded 33-round extended magazine and a machinegun conversion device.
According to the press release, Ali was not arrested until June 6, 2025, when he was located by officers responding to yet another shooting—this one at the Burnsville High School graduation ceremony. We found records from the Hennepin County Jail showing that Amiir was arrested on June 3, 2025, but was released on June 5, 2025, for a 36-hour expiration. The beginning of the video below shows officers taking Amiir in handcuffs to a squad car following the June 6th incident after the Burnsville High School graduation.
Provided by the Hennepin County Jail.
According to prosecutors, while in custody, Ali was recorded in jail calls referencing his desire for another "button" after release—a slang term referring to a switch or machinegun conversion device.
He, too, has now been charged by a federal criminal complaint with unlawful possession of a machinegun.
Officials Condemn Violence at Celebratory Events
“These young people and their families deserved a safe and joyful celebration, not gunfire,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Thompson. “To bring machineguns and violence to such a ceremony is immoral and shameful. On behalf of all Minnesotans, I want to express a sense of moral outrage at these crimes and assure the public that the perpetrators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
Said and Ali made their initial court appearances before U.S. Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty and remain in federal custody pending further detention hearings.
Investigation and Prosecution
The ongoing investigations are being led by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the FBI Safe Streets Violent Gang Task Force, in collaboration with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), the Minneapolis Police Department, and the University of Minnesota Police Department.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Kristian C. Weir is prosecuting the cases.
Authorities emphasized that criminal complaints are only allegations and that both defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Additional Reporting
Heavy Police Presence After Gunshots Reported at Burnsville High School Graduation; Four Apprehended
Four Arrested in Connection with Burnsville High School Shooting Incident; FBI Involved
Two Teens Formally Charged in Burnsville High School Graduation Shooting
Written by: Will Wight
