Plymouth man indicted by Hennepin County Grand Jury for Oct. 2 shooting

A Hennepin County Grand Jury indicted a Plymouth man for first-degree premeditated murder, second-degree intentional murder and two additional counts related to an Oct. 2 shooting, Hennepin County Attorney Mike Freeman announced Thursday.

The grand jury returned the indictment Dec. 12 against Abdirahman Farah, 22, in the shooting death of 27-year-old Moniir Abdi of St. Paul. Farah was also indicted for first-degree attempted premeditated murder and second-degree assault for shooting another man in the leg.

According to the criminal complaint filed Oct. 2, police and emergency medical services responded to a reported shooting at 2515 Riverside Ave. in Minneapolis around 6:15 p.m. Responders found Moniir Abdi on his back with a gunshot wound to the chest and another male victim shot in the left leg.

Abdi was transported to Hennepin County Medical Center where he was pronounced dead as result of his chest wound while the other male victim was treated for the gunshot wound in his left calf. The surviving male victim identified the shooter as Farah. He told investigators Farah was angered that a certain woman was with both victims that evening, went to his car, got a gun and shot both of them, the complaint states.

Surveillance video in the area captured the incident, while a known picture of Farah matched the appearance of the shooter in the video. Footage reveals Farah, Abdi, the other male victim and an adult female speaking with one another before the shooting occurs. Abdi appears to be attempting to placate the situation while Farah goes to a vehicle for a gun and starts shooting at both male victims before he gets in his vehicle and leaves the scene, the complaint continues.

While searching for Farah, investigators were informed that he was attempting to flee the county and were able to apprehend him in a Connecticut airport, the complaint states.

Farah remains in custody with his bail increasing to $2M.

Abdirahman Farah Criminal Complaint (PDF)