Sunday January 21, 2024
Minneapolis (HOL) - St. Louis Park High School in the Twin Cities was forced to close on Friday after a significant disturbance involving Somali and black students, as well as several adults, erupted on Thursday. The altercation has prompted a comprehensive and ongoing investigation into its causes, including potential racial motives."
The conflict, as depicted in videos circulated on social media, began within the school, involving physical confrontations among students from the Somali and black communities. This episode of violence escalated with the involvement of adults, including 41-year-old Latoys Milon and 22-year-old Abreeha Smith. St. Louis police have identified both individuals as the main instigators of the altercation.
Latoys, facing an active warrant for theft of services, was apprehended and released within five hours.
Smith, another arrestee, was discovered to have an existing felony warrant for aiding and abetting theft, along with two other active theft-related cases.
Both were later arrested outside the school premises. Charges are yet to be filed.
Central to the conflict was Sanaiah Milon, a student who reported being targeted due to an earlier disagreement with a Somali classmate. Describing the ordeal to KARE 11, she said, "I was punched, then grabbed by the neck, and thrown to the floor. It was terrifying." Her mother, Latoys, stressed her intent was solely to ensure her daughter's safety, refuting any racial motivations.
In response to the incident, the school district cancelled Friday's classes to conduct a thorough investigation in collaboration with local police. The focus is on comprehensively understanding the events, including potential racial motives.
While no critical injuries were reported, the school confirmed that some participants sustained minor bruises and scrapes. Officials emphasized the absence of weapons in the altercations in their statement.
The school is now considering additional safety measures for the upcoming week. There is currently no full-time resource officer, with only a juvenile response officer present who responded to the incident.
Latoys Renail Milon, 41 (L) Abreeha Annalisa Smith, 22, (R). Credit: Hennepin County Jail