2 Plead Guilty To Arson At Target HQ In Downtown Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — Two men pleaded guilty Monday to one count each of conspiracy to commit arson in connection with fires set inside Target's corporate headquarters in downtown Minneapolis.

Shador Tommie Cortez Jackson, 24, of Richfield and Leroy Lemonte Perry Williams, 34, of Minneapolis were accused of trying to set fires inside the headquarters on the Nicollet Mall.

Street violence broke out on Aug. 26 in Minneapolis after false rumors spread about a man who died after shooting himself. That night, Jackson and Williams went to Target's headquarters, authorities said.

Jackson used a construction sign to break through one of the glass doors into the Target Corp. building, according to investigators. Once inside, Jackson set a fire in the mailroom, police said.

Williams tried to light a fire near the building's entrance before leaving.

Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced on May 4. Williams' sentencing is set for May 18.

Under federal statutes, the two face a maximum sentence of 20 years in jail, with a minimum of 5 years.

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