Richfield Man Sentenced In Attempted Arson Of Target Headquarters

RICHFIELD, MN — A Richfield man was sentenced Wednesday to 33 months in prison — or nearly three years — after he was convicted of conspiring to commit arson at Target's corporate headquarters in downtown Minneapolis.

Shador T. Cortez Jackson, 24, participated in unrest that broke out in the city Aug. 26 after false rumors spread about a man who died after shooting himself, authorities said.

Jackson "gathered with other rioters downtown" after law enforcement released video footage "demonstrating that the rumor was clearly false," according to a news release from the U.S. Department of Justice.

Jackson used a construction sign to break through the glass doors into the building that houses Target headquarters, according to authorities. After entering the building, he set a fire on a counter inside the mailroom, police said.

Jackson also tried to light a second fire in the mailroom on top of cardboard boxes using a lighter and a bottle of an "ignitable liquid," according to authorities.

The unrest Aug. 26 prompted Gov. Tim Walz to declare a state of emergency and deploy the state patrol and National Guard. Read more.