Yalemberhan Girma Biru

On July 8, 2025, at approximately 7:13 PM, Bloomington Police Officers were dispatched to the East Rotunda of the Mall of America in Bloomington, Hennepin County, Minnesota, in response to an assault that had just occurred. Dispatch informed that MOA security had the suspect in custody. Upon arriving at the East Rotunda, Officers spoke with an adult male, hereinafter, "Victim 1." He reported that he was near the elevators when his wife told him that a male had walked past her and spat in her face.

Victim 1 then followed the suspect, who was later identified by his Minnesota driver's license as YALEMBERHAN GIRMA BIRU, [DOB REDACTED], hereinafter "Defendant." Victim 1 stated that he asked the Defendant to apologize to his wife. The Defendant retrieved a can of mace from a plastic bag he was carrying and held it in his right hand. As Victim 1 pursued the Defendant, his wife's son, hereinafter "Victim 2," came over to assist Victim 1. The Defendant then turned and used the pepper stray in the direction of both Victim 1 and Victim 2. Police spoke to Victim 2, and he reported feeling something hit his right eye, followed by a burning sensation.

Officers observed MOA CCTV footage that confirmed the assault committed by the Defendant. The Defendant has two prior convictions for assault within in the past 3 years: (1) Court File 19WSCR241392, convicted on 6/23/2025 for misdemeanor DANCO violation; (2) Court File 19AVCR2410723, convicted on 6/23/2025 for misdemeanor 5th degree assault.