Arson charges filed in Fletcher’s Ice Cream firebombings

A man accused of twice throwing Molotov cocktails at a Minneapolis ice cream shop is now facing arson charges.

Firomsa Ahmed Umar, 30, of Fridley is charged with two counts of first-degree arson in connection with the firebombings at Fletcher’s Ice Cream & Cafe on Hennepin Avenue East.

RELATED: Police: Suspect threw Molotov cocktail at ice cream store 2 days in a row

According to a criminal complaint, police received two reports of Molotov cocktails thrown at the business, one around 10:45 p.m. Sunday and another at 12:52 p.m. Monday. The attacks resulted in a broken window and damage to the interior and the sidewalk in front of the business.

A witness to the incident on Monday saw the arsonist throw the firebomb through the window of the ice cream shop before driving away in a Honda Odyssey, charging documents state. A recording of the earlier attack showed the suspect leaving in the same car.

Police linked the Honda to Umar, and his photos matched with the firebomber captured in surveillance footage.

Umar was stopped in the Honda a couple of miles southeast from the ice cream shop and was taken into custody. Police found a gas canister on the front passenger seat.

Charging documents note that Fletcher’s abuts a building with residential space, a factor that could bring a more severe criminal penalty.

Umar remains in custody at the Hennepin County Jail on $100,000 bail. His first court appearance is set for Thursday.

What they’re saying

In a statement on social media, Council Member Jason Chavez noted that Fletcher’s prominently displays an LGBTQ pride flag above its storefront and speculated that it could be a targeted attack.

“At a time when marginalized communities are being even more targeted than has always been the case, it is important that we as a city condemn this behavior,” Chavez wrote. “We must also reaffirm our commitment to equality and the safety of our LGBTQIA+ neighbors.”

A spokesperson for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office on Wednesday said current evidence does not support charging this incident as a bias-motivated crime, but the case remains under investigation.

Minneapolis City Council Member Michael Rainville, who represents Fletcher’s in Ward 3, sent an email to constituents on Tuesday encouraging people to come out to Fletcher’s for a “Neighborhood Safety Rally” at 6 p.m. Thursday.

“Let’s come together and show what community really means,” a flyer for the event says.
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