Fletcher’s Ice Cream & Cafe arson trial: Trial begins

The Brief

  • Firomsa Umar is standing trial on federal charges for allegedly attempting to firebomb Fletcher’s Ice Cream and Cafe in Minneapolis’ Nicollet Island neighborhood.
  • The charges stem from two attacks on October 19 and 20 involving apparent Molotov cocktails.
  • While the motive for the attack isn’t clearly identified, authorities point out Fletcher’s has a large Pride flag on its storefront. The trial brief also indicates that Umar was involved in a previous incident where he spray-painted homophobic graffiti weeks before the attacks.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) The man accused of attempting to firebomb Fletcher’s Ice Cream and Cafe in Minneapolis’ Nicollet Island neighborhood twice last fall is now facing trial on federal charges.

Firomsa Umar on trial

What we know:

Opening statements were delivered on Monday in the trial of Firomsa Umar, and witness testimony began on Monday.

Umar is charged with arson, attempted arson and possession of a destructive device for the firebombing of the Fletcher’s ice cream shop at the corner of East Hennepin Avenue and University Avenue Southeast on Oct. 19 and 20.

Fletcher’s firebombing

What we know:

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