Friday January 26, 2024
Minneapolis (HOL) - In a violent episode that has sparked debate over school safety and racial tensions, a mother and her two adult children have been charged following an assault at St. Louis Park High School targeting Somali students, authorities said.
Latoys Milon, 41, her daughter Abreeha Smith, 22, and son Jerome Smith Jr., 19, face charges of third-degree riot and fourth-degree assault motivated by bias. The incident, occurring on Jan. 18, began inside the school and escalated in the parking lot, leading to the temporary closure of the school.
The assault, captured on surveillance footage and police body cameras, showed Milon threatening Somali students and her children, physically assaulting several of them. One Somali student suffered cuts, a swollen eye, and a broken nose.
Following the incident, interim Superintendent Kate Maguire announced strict disciplinary measures and changes to school policies. These include restricted lunchtime campus exits, shortened passing periods, and temporarily increased police presence in schools. This response comes amidst broader challenges in post-pandemic school safety and student engagement.
During a recent school board meeting, some parents called for a zero-tolerance policy on violence, highlighting past incidents, including a post-prom fight last year. Maguire emphasized the need for adequate student engagement, cautioning against solely harsher discipline or more police officers in schools.
The school district spokesperson, Rachel Hicks, stated that the high school was closed not due to additional danger but to allow time for a significant disciplinary investigation and to develop a plan for enhanced student security during final exams.
St. Louis Park police had withdrawn officers from schools in August, opting instead to station them in nearby neighbourhoods. However, in light of the recent incident, there has been a temporary increase in police presence in schools.
Latoys Renail Milon, 41 (L) Abreeha Annalisa Smith, 22, (R). Credit: Hennepin County Jail