On 03/25/2026, Minneapolis Police officers were dispatched to ShotSpotter activated for numerous shots in the area of Folwell Park, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota. 911 calls also reported hearing up to 30 gunshots from the area. Upon arrival, officers located 21 9mm DCCs (17 brass and 4 silver) and 3 bullet fragments on the basketball court, primarily on the side nearest to the park building. Witnesses also told officers that shots were fired from the cemetery into the basketball court, and shots fired from the basketball court back towards the cemetery.
Officers arrived at the cemetery and located two live rounds and three DCCs north of the park parking lot and 3 additional brass DCCs and 9 silver DCCs north of the park basketball court in the cemetery. Officers spoke with one of the 911 callers who was identified as JDO who stated that his girlfriend, ZA called reporting the shots. JDO told officers that he was playing basketball on the courts when someone started shooting at them. He stated that one bullet nearly hit his head and that bullets were hitting the brick wall of the park building.
JDO did not see who the shooters were and he fled in his Ford Edge in the parking lot. JDO described ZA’s clothing at the time of the shooting. Upon reviewing surveillance footage, officers confirmed a female was seen possessing a bag with a firearm prior to the basketball court shooter picking up the gun and firing shots. Video footage also showed the basketball court shooter, later identified as JAKAI TEAJAI RICE [DOB REDACTED], Defendant herein, arrived at the park driving a white 4-door sedan that was later identified as Infiniti G35 with distinct markings.
ZA was seen sitting on the east end of the court while a group of males including Defendant playing basketball. When the gunshots started, ZA was seen to get up and ran but fell on the ground dropping multiple items she was holding including a large gym bag. Defendant appears to run back on to the basketball court and retrieve a handgun from the gym bag before firing numerous gunshots toward the cemetery while he ran. ZA is seen getting up and running off along the east side of the rec center. ZA later returned to the court with park staff to collect the items she had dropped before leaving.
ZA later told officers that one male at the basketball court was known as “KK” and another one as “Jakai.” Officers located the Infiniti parked in the alley behind [ADDRESS REDACTED]. The owner of the home stated that the car did not belong to her and did not know who parked it there. Officers obtained a search warrant and towed the vehicle. Officers identified Defendant associated with the vehicle. Officers compared and confirmed that Defendant matched the male shooting back toward the cemetery from the basketball court.
