Hennepin County Attorney’s Office declines felony charges related to City Hall incident due to prior communication between MPD and Lang security detail

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office is declining felony charges related to the incident involving Edward “Jake” Lang in front of City Hall.

After a review of extensive evidence of communication and logistical coordination between the Minneapolis Police Department and Lang’s security detail, there is not a path forward for felony charges to be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.

“Mr. Lang had been in prison for four years for violent crimes committed against law enforcement at the Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021, before being released from prison after being pardoned by Donald Trump,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said. “His actions on Saturday were despicable and disgusting.

“A lack of felony charges does not in any way condone this conduct. This is a legal decision based on applicable law, and we simply cannot prove the requisite intent in light of the evidence of communication and logistical coordination.”

An MPD officer was injured while helping a community member who had fallen in front of a truck during this incident. That officer placed himself in harm’s way because he feared the driver did not see the community member on the ground with the surrounding crowd and chaos.

Although the officer was struck by the vehicle, felony assault requires intent and, as the officer noted in his report, he did not believe the driver saw what was happening. The officer was seen at a local hospital and released.

This decision does not prohibit the Minneapolis City Attorney from pursuing applicable gross misdemeanor or misdemeanor charges as they see fit.

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