Shakopee, Minnesota – A festive religious gathering celebrating Eid al-Adha turned tragic last week when a 26-year-old man was fatally shot outside the Canterbury Park Expo Center. Law enforcement officials have since charged a suspect in connection with the incident, which has sent shockwaves through the local Muslim community.
"He was just a stellar, stellar human being. It’s a huge loss. All of us are really crushed by it." — Max Hall, AFSCME Council 5 Colleague
The shooting occurred just before 10 a.m. on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, as attendees were concluding Eid al-Adha prayer services at the venue located approximately 25 miles southwest of Minneapolis. Shakopee police officers responded to reports of gunfire and discovered Khalid Ibrahim Abdi, a 26-year-old Shakopee resident, suffering from multiple gunshot wounds outside the event center. Abdi was rushed to Hennepin County Medical Center but succumbed to his injuries.
Khalid Abdi was remembered by friends and colleagues as a dedicated individual. He was a devoted husband whose wife was pregnant with the couple’s first child at the time of his death. Abdi worked as 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 support for Abdi's family and remembering him 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."
Iman Yusuf Abdulle, executive director of the organizing center behind the prayer service, indicated that the fatal gunfire stemmed from a physical confrontation between Abdi and another attendee, noting that a significant portion of the crowd had already dispersed when the altercation occurred. Canterbury Park spokesperson Jeff Maday confirmed that the venue had hosted the Shakopee Muslim community for similar observances for six or seven years without any previous violent incidents.
The investigation quickly led authorities to 28-year-old Mohamed Abdirizak Rage, also of Shakopee. Investigators linked Rage to the scene through various pieces of evidence, including his cell phone, which he reportedly left behind, witness accounts, the vehicle he drove to and from the location, and photographs matched against known images of him. Rage surrendered to the Shakopee Police Department on May 28, the day after the shooting.
Scott County prosecutors have charged 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 were slated to be filed the following Monday after Rage’s arrest.
The incident has drawn close attention from community leaders. Suleiman Aden, deputy executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MN), stated that the community is closely monitoring the investigation 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." In the wake of Abdi's death, a GoFundMe campaign has been established to provide financial assistance to his family during this difficult time.
Initial reports and social media discussions surrounding the incident had highlighted concerns about violence targeting religious gatherings. The identification and charging of Mohamed Abdirizak Rage provided further details regarding the circumstances of the shooting, indicating a direct confrontation between individuals. The community now awaits the progression of the legal proceedings, seeking justice for Khalid Ibrahim Abdi and support for his grieving family.
