Prosecutors in Ramsey County have dismissed all charges against Omar Abdulwahab Mohamed, who was arrested in May in connection with the shooting near the RiverCentre in downtown St. Paul. The dismissal followed a detailed review of video evidence by his weapons offenses attorney, Derek Archambault of Archambault Criminal Defense, which indicated that investigators had identified the wrong man.
The shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. on May 4, amid a large crowd gathered after a Metro State commencement ceremony. Officers responded to gunfire at the RiverCentre parking ramp, outside Grand Casino Arena, and outside the Ordway, and two young men were treated for non-life-threatening gunshot wounds.
On May 28, St. Paul police executed search warrants at homes across the metro and arrested five people. Mr. Mohamed was among them and was charged with First and Second Degree Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Second Degree Riot with a Dangerous Weapon.
No eyewitness ever identified Mr. Mohamed as a shooter. The case against him rested entirely on video footage. As Archambault worked through the recordings, it became increasingly clear that the person police believed to be his client was someone else.
Archambault brought his findings to the assigned prosecutor, who agreed to re-review the evidence. Following that review, the state dismissed the case on September 23.
"Video can feel conclusive, but it's only as reliable as the identification someone makes from it," said Derek Archambault. "Once I went through the footage carefully, it was apparent my client wasn't the person they were looking for. I give the prosecutor credit for taking a second look and doing the right thing. Still, my client sat in jail for 21 days for something he didn't do, and nobody can give those days back."
The dismissal clears Mr. Mohamed's name, but it came only after he had spent three weeks in custody before his family was able to post bail. Archambault notes that the case shows why every piece of the state's evidence deserves independent scrutiny, especially when an arrest follows a high-profile incident and investigators are under pressure to make it.
This case underscores the critical role of defense attorneys in ensuring that wrongful accusations do not lead to unjust convictions. It also raises questions about the reliability of video evidence when identifications are made under pressure, particularly in high-profile incidents where quick arrests are expected.
Archambault Criminal Defense is a criminal defense law firm serving Minneapolis, St. Paul, and communities across the Twin Cities metro area. Attorney Derek Archambault is a former prosecutor and a graduate of the University of St. Thomas School of Law. He has practiced since 2009 and is admitted to the Minnesota state courts and the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota. He has been recognized as a Top 100 Criminal Defense Lawyer by the National Trial Lawyers and a Certified Criminal Law Specialist by the Minnesota Bar Association. The firm handles cases involving assault, weapons and firearms offenses, theft and property crimes, harassment, and more.
For individuals facing criminal charges, this case serves as a reminder of the importance of experienced legal representation. The outcome highlights how thorough investigation and collaboration between defense and prosecution can prevent miscarriages of justice.
