Firomsa Ahmed Umar, age 30 of Fridley, was indicted in federal court today on four arson-related counts relating to two incidents last month at a Minneapolis ice cream parlor.
He also faces similar felony arson-related counts at the state level. Here’s how WCCO-4 TV described the incidents last month,
The 30-year-old Fridley, Minnesota, man is charged with two counts of first-degree arson, according to Hennepin County court documents.
Fletcher’s Ice Cream and Cafe on Hennepin Avenue East was firebombed on Sunday night and Monday afternoon, according to the criminal complaint. Both incidents were reported to police.
WCCO added,
The complaint gives no motive for the firebombings, but owner Jason Fletcher believes his shop may have been targeted because of the Pride flag hanging outside. The shop was founded as a safe space for the LGBTQ+ community.
Motive unclear. In its report on Umar’s initial arrest in October, MPR News included a photo of Fletcher’s shop, showing the large (8 x10 ft.) rainbow flag over the store’s entrance. Molotov cocktails appear to have been the weapon of choice.
Since his October arrest, Umar had been held in Hennepin County jail in lieu of $100,000 bail. He is now in federal custody at the Sherburne County jail,
In his court appearance today, he required the use of an Oromo-language interpreter.
In the federal complaint against Umar, the ATF agent documented the two incidents at Fletcher’s: one occurring late at night, and the next at 1 pm the following afternoon. The daytime incident had witnesses, who described,
The ATF agent added,
State court records contain a July 2019 incident in Shakopee, that involved misdemeanor disorderly conduct, trespass, and assault charges. The incident appears to have occurred at ValleyFair.
Umar failed to appear for three court hearings in that case, which was not resolved until a May 2025 plea deal. The $388 fine in the case remains unpaid.
He is due back in federal court on November 25.
