Driver charged with second-degree assault after hit-and-run at south Minneapolis mosque

The driver accused of targeting a pedestrian at south Minneapolis mosque this week has been charged with second-degree assault.

James Evan Suttles, 37, was charged with using his minivan to intentionally hit a man in the mosque parking lot, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said Friday.

The Minneapolis man was taken into custody Wednesday evening.

Suttles had a history of trespassing at Alhikma Islamic Center, mosque leaders said Friday. He has been arrested three times since 2021 over incidents related to the mosque.

“I believe it is like a hate crime. Maybe he doesn’t like the masjid [mosque] to be here. Maybe he has some issue about the Islam,” Imam Abdirazak Kaynan said at a news conference Friday.

Jaylani Hussein, of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said Wednesday’s incident could have been prevented.

“He has been erratic. He has been coming here,” Jaylani said.

According to Suttles’ criminal complaint, Minneapolis police officers were aware of multiple complaints within the past month involving Suttles harassing and intimidating people who came to the mosque. Mosque leaders called police on May 15 to report that Suttles was parked in the parking lot for an extended period, watching the mosque.

In past incidents, Suttles has slashed vehicle tires in the mosque parking lot, sprayed mace into the building and assaulted people associated with the mosque, including a religious leader, according to the criminal complaint.

The incidents noted by police have been against various people who attend the mosque and not targeted at any one individual.

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement that Suttles’ past actions at the mosque have led her office to seek a “high” bail amount — $150,000 according to charging documents

“We are concerned for the safety and wellbeing of the members of the Alhikma Islamic Center Mosque where this occurred,” Moriarty said in the news release.

‘That person was trying to kill me’

At Friday’s news conference, Osman Ahmed, 36, recounted the moments leading up to him being hit.

He was getting items out of his car in the parking lot around noon when a minivan quickly drove toward him. A security video of the incident shows Osman being thrown onto the hood of the van, then tumbling to the ground.

Officers who responded to the scene spoke with two eyewitnesses who said the minivan swerved directly at Osman.

“It was very clear that that person was trying to kill me,” Osman said.

Osman received non-critical injuries but now says he feels lots of pain, including headaches, shoulder pain and ear pain.

“I’m taking pain medication … I haven’t slept last night to be honest,” Osman said.

According to the criminal complaint, Suttles was arrested around 9:30 p.m. the day of the incident outside his residence on S. Second Avenue, about a mile south of the mosque in Minneapolis.

Suttles was sitting in his minivan as officers approached. He attempted to start the van but officers detained him, according to the criminal complaint.

Both Jaylani and Abdirazak emphasized the need for increased security measures and funding for mosques and other Islamic centers.

“The governor has not been responsive. Let’s be honest, he has not, and both houses have not passed what we’ve asked for and that would have benefited everybody,” Jaylani said of the failed attempts to get additional government funding for mosque security.

Jaylani said Minnesota leads the nation in attacks against mosques in the last three years.

“Obviously, since October 7, we have seen the rise of Islamophobia and antisemitism,” he said.

Jaylani said many accidents go unreported and ended Friday’s news conference by making a plea to community members to speak out if they see or experience any type of harassment or violence.

Suttles remains in custody at the Hennepin County jail. His first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday.

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