Four Charged in Minneapolis Protest Shootings

A county prosecutor in Minneapolis says he’s filed the toughest charges possible against four men accused of a racially motivated attack on five protesters. 

23-year-old Allen Scarsella, of Lakeville, is charged with one felony count of riot while armed with a dangerous weapon and five counts of assault with a dangerous weapon. 

27-year-old Joseph Backman of Eagan, 21-year-old Nathan Gustavsson of Hermantown, and 26-year-old Daniel Macey of Pine City each face a riot charge. 

Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman says federal charges could still be brought against the four. 

The men are accused of taking part in shooting five protesters outside of the Minneapolis Police Fourth Precinct last week where demonstrators have been camped out since the fatal officer-involved shooting of Jamar Clark. 

All five of the protesters were treated for non-life threatening injuries.