Minneapolis gang members charged after posting threats on Snapchat, YouTube
YouTube video posted by Tre Tre gang members outside of 2954 Dupont Ave. N.
MINNEAPOLIS (KMSP) - The cinematic productions and social media posts of a north Minneapolis gang have led to criminal charges against 4 members. The Tre Tre street gang gets its name from the geographic area of north Minneapolis its lays claim to, around 33rd Avenue N. One of their rivals is the Skitz Squad, which the Tre Tre members took shots at in videos posted on Snapchat and YouTube.
Jawan Carroll, 18, of Golden Valley, Dayshane Cochran, 18, of Minneapolis, Elijah Edwards, 19, of St. Paul and Brian Edwards, 20, of Minneapolis are each charged with the four counts of terroristic threats. The Edwards brothers are also charged with two counts of a prohibited person in possession of a firearm, and Carroll is charged with two counts of carrying a pistol without a permit.
According to the charges, a Snapchat video was posted on Jan. 2 with Carroll’s name in the title and the Edwards brothers and Cochran holding guns. On Jan. 8, a self-produced music video was posted on YouTube with all 4 men holding guns and flashing Tre Tre gang signs. The YouTube video showed the address of 2954 Dupont Ave. N., which investigators say is a clear provocation because Juwon “Skitz” Osborne was murdered outside that house, and Osborne’s still-unsolved murder led to the formation of the Skitz Squad gang. The video also contains explicit threats against the Skitz Squad, including the threat of a shooting.
“You all look down on me, Beretta knock you head off,” the verse says.
Minneapolis police obtained a search warrant to monitor the Facebook activity of 13 known gang members. Through that surveillance, investigators learned the Tre Tres would be shooting a video on Jan. 8 at 1001 N. 7th Street. Officers simultaneously kept eyes on the house and on social media, watching several men leave the house moments after the new video was posted to social media.
Police stopped both cars and found Carroll had a Ruger pistol in his pocket and another gun under his car seat. Carroll does not have a permit to carry a handgun and the pistol appeared to be the same one that was seen in the Snapchat and YouTube videos.
Cochran made his first court appearance Wednesday and his bail was set at $75,000. Carroll made his first court appearance Tuesday and bail was set at $75,000. Elijah Edwards made his first appearance Monday and his bail was set at $150,000 without conditions or $75,000 with about a dozen conditions. Brian Edwards has not made a first court appearance