State sues gangs over State Fair threats; how injunctions will be enforced
Ramsey County and Minnesota officials sued two rival gangs to block them from the Minnesota State Fair, and eight of 10 named alleged members have agreed to avoid the fair and its safety zone from Aug. 27-Sept. 8.[1]
Three alleged Muddy members earlier signed a joint stipulation promising to skip the fair; in return prosecutors agreed to dismiss those three from the broader nuisance lawsuit if they comply.[2] A Ramsey County judge did not ban the two remaining named Muddy defendants from the fair but barred them from associating with known gang members, intimidating anyone, or using gang signs inside the safety zone.[1] Police will not use facial-recognition technology, and officers who think they spot an alleged gang member must first call a specialized Ramsey County deputy familiar with the targets before any arrest.[1] Sheriff Bob Fletcher also sent warning letters to 233 people tied to 12 gangs, saying any attendance with known gang members will be documented for potential future prosecution.[1] Ramsey County Attorney John Choi called the action preventative, and State Fair Police Chief Ron Knafla said officials will be sensitive to not interfering with fairgoers who are just there to enjoy the event.[1]
In September 2024 a Ville gang affiliate and other gang members shot three people one block from the fairgrounds on the fair's final night. Videos from the 2025 fair showed Ville members fighting rivals near the Midway and taunting with gang signs. Conflicts continued in 2025 and 2026, including a May 2026 shooting tied to the Muddy-Ville rivalry and social media posts this summer that openly promoted fights at the upcoming fair.
Ramsey County Attorney John Choi and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison filed civil nuisance lawsuits under Minnesota's gang-nuisance statute to seek injunctions after those prior incidents and this summer's threats.[3] The court filings and subsequent stipulations give prosecutors a tool to keep named individuals out of the fair area while preserving evidence of association for future enforcement if the agreements are broken.[2]
The mainstream summary does not mention the significant context of prior gang-related violence at the Minnesota State Fair, including a shooting that occurred just outside the fairgrounds in 2024, which left three people wounded. This incident involved a Ville gang affiliate targeting Muddy gang members, highlighting the ongoing rivalry that has escalated in recent years. Additionally, the summary overlooks the troubling trend of gang members openly taunting rivals and exhibiting gang signs during the 2025 fair, which contributed to crowd panic and raised concerns about safety at the event. These incidents underscore the urgency of the injunctions sought by Ramsey County officials, as they aim to prevent a repeat of such violence.[4]
While the mainstream account frames the legal actions as preventative measures, critics on social media express skepticism regarding the effectiveness of these civil nuisance lawsuits. Some argue that negotiating stipulations with gang members may be a weak response to the violence, suggesting that stricter criminal charges would be more appropriate. This sentiment reflects a broader concern about the efficacy of the current approach, especially given the history of violence associated with the gangs involved. @revive_mn @EstergrenSue
Show source details & analysis (3 sources)
📊 Relevant Data
A shooting occurred just outside the Minnesota State Fairgrounds on the last night of the 2024 fair, in which a Ville gang affiliate and other gang members wounded three people while targeting Muddy gang members.
August 20, 2026 Press Release — Minnesota Attorney General's Office
At the 2025 Minnesota State Fair, Ville gang members were filmed fighting rivals near the Midway, throwing gang signs, and taunting others, causing crowds to scatter.
August 20, 2026 Press Release — Minnesota Attorney General's Office
Minnesota's civil gang nuisance law (Minn. Stat. §§ 617.91–.97), enacted in 2007, was previously used to obtain injunctions preventing gang activity at St. Paul’s Cinco de Mayo festivals in 2009 and 2015.
Prosecutors win protections against gang activity at Minnesota State Fair — Star Tribune
📌 Key Facts
- Three alleged members of the Muddy gang signed a joint stipulation agreeing not to attend the 2026 Minnesota State Fair or enter a defined “safety area” around the fairgrounds from August 27 to September 7, 2026; the stipulation was filed in court Wednesday, August 19, 2026, and as of filing had not yet been signed by the judge (joint stipulation).
- In return for complying with those terms and not aiding any gang activity in the safety area, the Ramsey County Attorney and Minnesota Attorney General agreed to dismiss those three men from the broader nuisance lawsuit (Ramsey County Attorney and Minnesota Attorney General).
- By August 27, 2026, eight of the 10 named alleged members of Muddy and The Ville had signed stipulations agreeing to avoid the State Fair and its defined safety zone from Aug. 27–Sept. 8 in exchange for being dismissed from the civil lawsuit if they comply (eight of the 10 named alleged members).
- The two remaining alleged Muddy members either failed to appear or contested the allegations; a Ramsey County judge did not outright ban them from the fair but barred them from associating with known gang members, intimidating anyone, or using gang signs at the fair or within the safety zone (Ramsey County judge).
- The enforcement plan requires any officer who believes they have spotted an alleged gang member to first call a specialized Ramsey County deputy familiar with the targets before making an arrest, and officials said they are not using facial-recognition technology (enforcement plan).
- Sheriff Bob Fletcher sent warning letters to 233 people tied to 12 gangs, stating that if they attend the fair with known gang members that association will be documented for potential future prosecution (Sheriff Bob Fletcher).
- Officials framed the action as preventative: Ramsey County Attorney John Choi described the move as preventative, while State Fair Police Chief Ron Knafla said officials will be “sensitive” to not interfere with the rights of people who are just at the fair to enjoy it (John Choi).
📰 Source Timeline (3)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms that 8 of 10 named alleged members of Muddy and The Ville have now signed stipulations agreeing to avoid the State Fair and its defined safety zone from Aug. 27–Sept. 8, in exchange for being dismissed from the civil lawsuit if they comply.
- Details that the remaining two alleged Muddy members either failed to appear or contested the allegations; a Ramsey County judge did not outright ban them from the fair but barred them from associating with known gang members, intimidating anyone, or using gang signs at the fair or within the safety zone.
- Lays out the enforcement plan: any officer who thinks they spot an alleged gang member must first call in a specialized Ramsey County deputy familiar with the targets before any arrest is made; officials say they are not using facial-recognition technology.
- Reveals that Sheriff Bob Fletcher sent warning letters to 233 people tied to 12 gangs, stating that if they attend the fair with known gang members, that association will be documented for potential future prosecution.
- Includes direct quotes and framing from John Choi about the action being preventative and from State Fair Police Chief Ron Knafla about being "sensitive" to not interfering with the rights of people who are just at the fair to enjoy it.
- Three alleged members of the Muddy gang have signed a joint stipulation agreeing not to attend the 2026 Minnesota State Fair or enter a defined 'safety area' around the fairgrounds from August 27 to September 7, 2026.
- In return for complying with those terms and not aiding any gang activity in the safety area, the Ramsey County Attorney and Minnesota Attorney General have agreed to dismiss those three men from the broader nuisance lawsuit.
- The stipulation was filed in court Wednesday before a scheduled hearing, and as of filing time it had not yet been signed by the judge.