Minneapolis Violence Interrupters Charged After Shootout Sparks City to Cancel Contract

Kashmir Khaliffa McReynolds
Kashmir Khaliffa McReynolds

Minneapolis (trfnews.i234.me) — Two men working as violence interrupters for city-funded nonprofit Salem Inc. were charged with reckless discharge of a firearm after a shootout on March 10 in North Minneapolis. Kashmir Khaliffa McReynolds, 35, and Alvin Anthony Watkins Jr., 50, fired multiple rounds near 36th Avenue North and Penn Avenue North during a community barbecue.

Surveillance captured McReynolds firing a Ruger pistol without a clear target and directing Watkins, a felon prohibited from owning firearms, to retrieve and fire a second handgun. Over 60 rounds were discharged.

City officials quickly pulled funding consideration for Salem Inc. following the incident. Watkins remains at large, while McReynolds is in custody awaiting a court appearance.

I’m Chris Harper reporting for TRF News.


Did you know?

  • Reckless discharge of a firearm in a municipality is a felony in Minnesota.

  • Violence interrupter programs aim to reduce gun violence by mediating conflicts before violence occurs.

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