A religious gathering celebrating Eid al-Adha at the Canterbury Park Expo Center in Shakopee, Minnesota, turned tragic last Wednesday when gunfire erupted, resulting in the death of a 26-year-old man. The incident, which occurred just before 10 a.m. on May 27, 2026, approximately 25 miles southwest of Minneapolis, has left a family grieving and a community seeking justice.
"Our union has offered and pledges our unwavering support to Khalid’s family through this incredibly difficult and painful time. We stand with them every step of the way." — Bart Andersen, AFSCME Council 5 Executive Director
Shakopee law enforcement officers responded to reports of a shooting at the event center. Upon arrival, they discovered Khalid Ibrahim Abdi, a 26-year-old Shakopee resident, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside the facility. Abdi, who had been attending the Eid al-Adha observance—one of the most significant holidays in the Islamic faith—was rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he later succumbed to his injuries.
Khalid Ibrahim Abdi was a devoted husband whose wife was pregnant with their first child at the time of his death. He was also a field representative for AFSCME Council 5, a public sector labor union active across Minnesota. Max Hall, a colleague who had worked with Abdi for a year, described him as "just a stellar, stellar human being. It’s a huge loss. All of us are really crushed by it." Bart Andersen, Executive Director of AFSCME Council 5, issued a statement expressing the union's commitment to Abdi's family. "Our union has offered and pledges our unwavering support to Khalid’s family through this incredibly difficult and painful time," Andersen stated. "We stand with them every step of the way." The statement further honored Abdi, noting he would be "forever remembered for his tenacious organizing spirit, his warm and inviting presence, and his unyielding passion and drive to fight for the working-class and all historically marginalized communities."
According to Iman Yusuf Abdulle, executive director of the organizing center behind the prayer service, the fatal shooting stemmed from a physical confrontation between Abdi and another attendee. Much of the crowd had already dispersed by the time the gunfire occurred. Jeff Maday, a spokesperson for Canterbury Park, noted that the venue had hosted similar observances for the Shakopee Muslim community for six or seven years without any previous violent incidents.
The investigation led swiftly to the identification and arrest of a suspect. Investigators linked 28-year-old Mohamed Abdirizak Rage to the scene using evidence including his cell phone, which he reportedly left behind. Witness accounts, the vehicle he used to travel to and from the location, and photographs matched against known images of him further solidified the connection. Rage voluntarily surrendered to the Shakopee Police Department on May 28.
Scott County prosecutors have since charged Mohamed Abdirizak Rage with second-degree murder with intent but without premeditation. He also faces charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, stemming from a prior violent crime conviction that involved a crowbar attack on two individuals. The Scott County Attorney’s Office confirmed that formal charges would be filed the Monday following Rage's arrest.
The community is closely monitoring the legal proceedings. Suleiman Aden, deputy executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), stated that the community is watching the investigation closely and demanding full accountability. The Shakopee police publicly extended their condolences, stating, "Our thoughts go out to the victim’s family, friends, and all of those affected by this incident." A GoFundMe campaign has been established to provide financial assistance to Abdi's family as they navigate their profound loss. As many observers on social media platform X pointed out, the suspect's name, Mohamed Abdirizak Rage, was highlighted in discussions about the incident.
