A Minnesota man has been charged with second-degree murder following the fatal shooting of 35-year-old Sadik Yusuf at an apartment complex in Rochester, Minnesota, on July 3.
Ibrahim Abukaar Abdi, 31, was arrested after an investigation revealed surveillance footage and witness statements linking him to the shooting, despite his claim of memory loss about the day of the incident.
The Fatal Incident and Investigation
According to the Rochester Police Department, officers responded to a call at around 11:30 a.m. on July 3, where they found Yusuf on the ground with a gunshot wound to his neck. Despite efforts to save his life, Yusuf was pronounced dead at the scene. Abdi, the suspect, was reportedly nowhere to be found when police arrived.
A criminal complaint obtained by local Fox affiliate KMSP revealed that two witnesses provided police with important information.
One witness stated that Abdi and Yusuf had been involved in an argument over money and disrespect before the altercation escalated. The witness reported seeing Abdi take a bag of marijuana from Yusuf before allegedly shooting him.
Another witness, who was with Abdi earlier that day, said that Abdi later showed up at his home claiming to have an emergency. The second witness mentioned that Abdi seemed “weird” and “different” during the visit and gave police Abdi’s cellphone number, which would prove crucial in the investigation.
Surveillance Footage and Inconsistent Statements
Police were able to track Abdi’s cellphone to the apartment complex where the shooting took place, as well as to the area where he lived.
Despite this, Abdi allegedly told investigators that he couldn’t remember what happened on July 3 and claimed he wasn’t with the two witnesses on that day. He also insisted he had no knowledge of the shooting, except that he had heard there was one.
However, investigators confronted Abdi with video evidence showing him at a HyVee store with the two witnesses earlier in the day, as well as footage of him walking towards the apartment complex, moments before the fatal shooting occurred. In response, Abdi reportedly told police, “Yeah, that’s crazy. I don’t remember.”
Charges and Arrest
Following the investigation, Abdi was charged with second-degree murder, second-degree murder with a dangerous weapon, second-degree murder while committing a felony, and possessing a firearm as a convicted felon.
Abdi was arrested on Monday without incident and is currently being held at the Olmsted County Adult Detention Center without bond.
Legal Proceedings and Future
As Abdi faces these serious charges, the case highlights the challenges of dealing with suspects who offer inconsistent statements, especially when surveillance footage contradicts their claims. Abdi’s defense will likely need to address the overwhelming evidence against him as he prepares for trial.
