Overview
- Jurors found Firomsa A. Umar guilty of arson, attempted arson, and possessing unregistered destructive devices for attacks on Fletcher’s Ice Cream & Cafe in Minneapolis.
- The case centered on two Molotov cocktails thrown on back-to-back days in October 2025, which broke a window and caused interior and sidewalk damage.
- Jurors concluded the shop was targeted for its actual or perceived gender identity or sexual orientation, reflecting its visible Pride flag and LGBTQ+ safe-space identity.
- Evidence included surveillance that tied a vehicle to the scenes and a traffic stop after the second attack where police found a gas can, a lighter, and a bottle in Umar’s car.
- The arson counts carry a mandatory minimum of five years in prison, Umar remains jailed awaiting a sentencing date, and related state arson charges are on hold.