More arrests expected following fireworks chaos in Dinkytown

More than 200 Minneapolis police officer remain on duty during Independence Day weekend to deal with fireworks issues.

The extra patrols were out there on Thursday when chaos unfolded in the Dinkytown neighborhood near the University of Minnesota campus.

There were 30 arrests made by the MPD and five citations were given out, with seven of those taken in to custody from out of state.

Eight of those cited were juveniles, and the ages of all who were picked up ranged from mid-teens to early twenties.

The MPD was assisted by the state patrol and the Ramsey County Sheriff's office, along with Minneapolis Park Police and U-of-M police.

Minneapolis police chief Brian O'Hara said social media posts on Wednesday night all but invited people to the city for so-called "pop up" events.

"They encouaged people to come to Minneapolis, and commit these egregious, dangerous, and, just frankly, stupid acts," O'Hara said, noting that he came close to injury when a mortar went off near where he and other officers were patrolling.

"When it exploded, it shook my body," he said. "If that thing had gotten into a car, if it had gotten close to one of the pedestrians out there, it could have taken a limb off, if not kill a person."

No one was seriously injured hurt on Thursday despite mortars being launched at police, bystanders, cars, and buildings.

A majority of those arrested face charges for rioting, and O'Hara said there may be more arrests.

"It's ridiculous that our residents, and other people visiting out town, have to deal with this egregious behavior," he said.