Maplewood Teen Set Fire In St. Paul School Cafeteria: Feds

SAINT PAUL, MN — Federal authorities say a 19-year-old set fire to a Saint Paul school during the unrest related to the death of George Floyd. Mohamed Abdi of Maplewood was charged federally with one count of arson Tuesday.

On May 28, Gordon Parks High School on University Avenue was burned and vandalized, police said. Surveillance cameras inside the school captured footage of Abdi and one other person intentionally setting a fire in the cafeteria, according to the criminal complaint.

Abdi is seen reaching through a broken glass door and pouring a clear liquid from a white container on the floor of the cafeteria, federal authorities said. He then entered the cafeteria and poured more clear liquid onto the floor and into a trash can, according to investigators.

Abdi ignited a fire in the trash can using a liquid-soaked garment, and was then seen running from the building as flames and black smoke erupted from the trash can, the criminal complaint states.

Abdi was arrested Monday and made his initial court appearance in Saint Paul on Wednesday.