Charges filed against 4th of July revelers that shot fireworks at cars and even police officers

Charges have been filed against those committing riotous behavior during Fourth of July celebrations near the university of Minnesota campus last week.

At least 20 people have been charged with a variety of offenses, including second-degree rioting while armed with a dangerous weapon which is a felony, and fleeing police.

The charges stem from what became a chaotic July 4 in and around Dinkytown.

According to the criminal complaint, numerous people shot off fireworks at vehicles, other people out celebrating the holiday, and even uniformed officers.

One officer received burns to his body after a juvenile tossed a mortar-style firework at police, which rolled under a parked car and blew up causing the injury.

The Hennepin County Attorney's Office said additional charges could arise as they continue to review the incident.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara said after the arrests that social media posts all but invited people to the city for so-called "pop up" events.

"They encouraged 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."

O'Hara noted that it is "ridiculous" that residents and visitors to the city had to put up with that kind of behavior.