Federal Jury Convicts Minneapolis Man for 2020 Arson of Target Corporation Headquarters
ST. PAUL, Minn. — A federal jury found a Minneapolis man guilty of attempting to set fire at the Target Corporation’s headquarters building in downtown Minneapolis, announced U.S. Attorney Andrew M. Luger.
Following a three-day trial before Judge Paul A. Magnuson, Leroy Lemonte Perry Williams, 36, was convicted yesterday on one count of arson. A sentencing hearing will be scheduled at a later date.
According to evidence presented at trial, on the evening of August 26, 2020, Minneapolis experienced arson, rioting, and looting following false rumors regarding a suicide death on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis. Surveillance video showed Williams joining the crowds rioting in downtown Minneapolis that night, first outside the Target store on Nicollet Mall, then looting a Speedway Gas Station a few blocks away and finally at the Target Corporation headquarters building in downtown Minneapolis. Williams was amongst a crowd outside of the Target Corporation headquarters building during the break in and looting of the building. Williams repeatedly attempted to light cardboard on fire using a lighter inside of the Target Headquarters building. Williams was interrupted in his attempts by an unidentified male who confronted Williams. Williams responded aggressively by shoving him, before ultimately leaving the Target headquarters.
This case is the result of an investigation by the ATF, the Minneapolis Fire Department, the Minneapolis, Bloomington and Richfield Police Departments and the Office of Criminal Investigations at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
Assistant U.S. Attorneys Chelsea A. Walcker and Nathan H. Nelson tried the case.
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