(credit: CBS)
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A Minneapolis Police raid at a gang-related house resulted in the arrest of four people and prevented a retaliation shooting, according to the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
All four people are said to be affiliated with a violent street gang. Authorities say they were stashing guns and ammo to plan a retaliation for the death of one of their gang leaders.
Bridget Turntine, 33, Lamont McGee, 28, Veltrez Black, 25 and Ashimiyu Alowonle, 27, all of Minneapolis, have been charged in connection with the incident.
According to Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman, police heard from a witness earlier this month that the 19 Block Dip Set gang was storing illegal guns and ammunition at 3111 Girard Ave. N. where Turntine lived.
During the police raid on Dec. 12, officers seized seven guns and an “enormous” amount of ammunition. Two of the guns were stuffed into a diaper box located in the basement. Officers also recovered a large amount of cash and marijuana from the residence.
Police say three young children were in the home at the time of the raid, including two belonging to Turntine. Many of the guns were loaded when they were confiscated.
Turntine has been charged with two counts of child endangerment. Black, Alowonle and McGee were charged with illegal possession of a firearm.
Investigators said the north Minneapolis gang was storing the guns and ammunition so “they could retaliate against anyone they felt was responsible for the shooting death of their leader, Tyrone Washington,” according to a release.
Washington was shot and killed on Nov. 3 at Epic Nightclub.
Alowonle, Black and McGee have prior convictions for violent crimes, which makes it illegal for them to have firearms in their possession.
The previous charges range from aggravated robbery, third-degree assault and possessing controlled substances.
“These arrests and charges are a direct result of some excellent police work,” Freeman said in the release. “And it may well have saved lives. We must remain vigilant about guns in the hands of felons who have histories of gun violence.”
Bail was set at $150,000, with conditions, for Olowonde and Black. McGee’s bail was set at $250,000 and Turntine, who faces lesser charges, posted bail of $6,000.
