Brainerd Man Pleads Guilty In Minneapolis 3rd Precinct Blaze

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Brainerd man is the latest person to plead guilty after taking part in the street violence in Minneapolis this summer. Dylan Shakespeare Robinson, 23, was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit arson at the Minneapolis Police Department’s Third Precinct in May.

The police precinct burned down during violent protests that followed the death of George Floyd on Memorial Day.

According to court documents, Robinson went to the Third Precinct building on the night of May 28 after hundreds had already gathered there. Mayor Jacob Frey ordered police to abandon the building.

Surveillance video footage from the Third Precinct shows Robinson helping light a Molotov cocktail, according to authorities.

Federal investigators also reviewed a video posted on Robinson's Snapchat account, which they said shows at least one person making a Molotov. During the video, Robinson posted several comments, including "These guys have never made a Molotov… Rookies," and "We need gasoline."

Another Snapchat video shows Robinson setting a fire in a stairwell inside the Third Precinct, according to investigators.

A sentencing date for Robinson has not yet been scheduled, according to a news release.