Minneapolis Homeless Encampment Shooting Kills One, Injures Six in Drug Territory Dispute

A deadly shootout occurred on September 15 at a homeless encampment in Minneapolis near Lake Street and 28th Avenue South, resulting from a turf dispute between two groups of drug dealers. Trivon Leonard Jr., a 31-year-old felon on parole from Illinois, was charged with first-degree riot resulting in death and illegal possession of a firearm after allegedly leading the group attempting to sell drugs in the encampment. Leonard and his associates had moved their drug operation to this encampment following the shutdown of their previous location along the Midtown Greenway. The confrontation escalated when Leonard's group, arriving in a white SUV, clashed with the existing dealers controlling the area, leading to over 30 shots fired and injuring six people, including innocent bystanders. Jacinda Oakgrove, a 30-year-old woman not involved in the dispute, was fatally shot by what investigators believe was an errant bullet from Leonard's group. The violence prompted city workers to clear the encampment, which had been a site for both shelter and illegal drug activity, as authorities continue to investigate and address the underlying public safety concerns.