Teen Shooter at Minneapolis LGBTQ Punk Show Faces Adult Trial

The teen behind the mass shooting at a Minneapolis punk show, which targeted the LGBTQ community, will now face trial as an adult. 🌐 #News #MinneapolisMN #Minnesota #Crime

MINNEAPOLIS, MN – The 2023 mass shooting at a Minneapolis punk concert that left one person dead and several others injured is taking a significant legal turn. An 18-year-old from Hinckley, Minnesota, who was initially charged as a minor, will now face trial as an adult in Hennepin County Court. This decision comes as prosecutors argue that his behavior before the shooting, including discriminatory comments, aggravated the severity of the crime.

Violence Erupts at a Punk Show

The shooting occurred during a small concert attended by 30 to 50 people, many of whom were members of the LGBTQ+ community. As the concert wrapped up, gunfire broke out, leading to the death of 35-year-old Nicholas “August” Golden. Six other individuals were wounded, suffering injuries ranging from a gunshot to the thigh to severe internal damage, requiring emergency surgery.

Police quickly arrived at the scene on the 2200 block of 16th Avenue South, finding the wounded victims, including Golden, who tragically succumbed to his injuries shortly after their arrival. The shooting rattled the community and led to swift investigations into the motives behind the violence.

Charges and the Move to Adult Court

Dominic Burris, the teen accused of the shooting, faces seven felony charges, including second-degree murder for Golden’s death. Initially arrested in April and charged as a juvenile, his legal status changed on Monday when the court ruled he would be tried as an adult. This decision was influenced by several aggravating factors, including Burris’ alleged conduct before the shooting.

Court documents detail the prosecutors’ stance that Burris and another individual, Boyd, made discriminatory and offensive comments directed at concertgoers before the incident. These remarks were reportedly linked to the victims’ sexual orientation, leading prosecutors to believe that the shooting was at least partially motivated by prejudice. This factored into the court’s decision to treat the case with more seriousness by moving Burris to adult court.

Escalating Tensions Before the Gunfire

Witnesses who attended the event noted that tensions began to escalate before the shooting, describing interactions between Burris, Boyd, and concertgoers as increasingly hostile. One woman recalled how the two men made unwanted advances toward her. When she explained that she was a lesbian, the situation became tense, and the men made further inappropriate comments. She also mentioned that they had guns, and while they initially claimed they had no plans to use them, the tone of the interaction left her feeling uneasy.

Other attendees reported overhearing derogatory remarks about the LGBTQ+ community from Burris and Boyd. Shortly after these interactions, the two left the concert. Within moments, the sound of gunshots filled the air, leading to chaos and panic among the crowd. Witnesses described hearing the shots come from a nearby yard, just north of where the concert was taking place.

Key Evidence and Investigation

Investigators worked swiftly to gather evidence from the scene, recovering nine spent cartridge casings, including eight 9mm and one .380 caliber casing. This indicated that two firearms were used during the shooting, consistent with the reports of multiple witnesses.

Additionally, surveillance footage from the area captured two individuals matching the descriptions of Burris and Boyd walking in the Little Earth neighborhood approximately an hour before the shooting. These videos played a crucial role in identifying the suspects and connecting them to the crime.

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Next Steps in the Legal Process

As of now, Burris remains in juvenile detention, though his trial as an adult will begin soon. His first court appearance in this new legal phase is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. No defense attorney has yet been assigned to his case, leaving questions about how his defense will proceed.

The decision to try Burris as an adult marks a pivotal moment in this case, and the legal process ahead will likely explore both the violent events of that night and the role of discriminatory behavior as a potential motivator. This case highlights growing concerns about public safety and violence targeting marginalized communities, leaving the Minneapolis area on edge as the trial moves forward.

As the legal proceedings continue, the memories of those affected by this senseless attack linger, with the family of Nicholas Golden and the survivors seeking justice and healing. Their strength in the face of tragedy is a reminder that the fight for a safer, more inclusive community continues, long after the violence has ended.