Second accused of complicity in mass shootings

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – The second of two men believed to have been involved a mass shooting at a DIY music venue in Minneapolis has been charged with his involvement in the incident that left one person dead and several injured.

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Elias Trinidad Thompson, 21, is suspected of aiding an offender during the shooting that occurred on the 2200 block of 16th Avenue South. Thompson was just a few weeks over 20 years old at the time of the shooting.

Shooting music community

The mass shooting occurred on August 11, 2023, as a local band was wrapping up a concert in the backyard of a home venue known as “Nudieland”. The show was an LGBTQ+ friendly gathering with approximately 30-50 attendees.

When officers arrived on scene, they found seven people with gunshot wounds. One man, identified as 35-year-old Nicholas “August” Golden, suffered a gunshot wound to the back. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators found that two people interacted with others on the show shortly before the shooting, describing their interactions with them as “hostile” and saying the pair “made insensitive comments after learning the witnesses were lesbians.”

Witnesses told police they noticed both people flashing firearms, and when a witness pointed out the weapon, one of them allegedly responded, “We’re not going to use the gun or anything, but if we have to, we will do,” the complaint states. .

The pair eventually left, when a witness claimed to have seen the two walking along a fence in the adjacent garden – seconds later they heard gunshots coming from that direction.

According to the criminal complaint, investigators used witness statements, forensic evidence and video surveillance to identify the two suspects.

Police recovered eight 9mm caliber casings and one 0.380 caliber casing at the scene, indicating that two firearms were used. Police also say DNA from one of the alleged shooters was found on cigarette butts at the scene.

After the shooting, police believe Thompson met with Dominic James Burris, 18, of Hinckley, and conspired to hide evidence.

Alleged shooter charged

In October, Hennepin County prosecutors granted a motion for certification as a presumptive adult so Burris could be tried as an adult. Burris is charged with one count of murder and six counts of assault in the Nudieland shooting.

Burris was charged on April 12, 2023 following a police investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

On April 23, 2023, prosecutors filed a motion to have Burris certified as an adult in an upcoming trial.

As part of the motion, Dr. Jessica Miles testified on August 1, 2024, saying Burris’ background, including substance abuse issues and family instability, could have played a role in his actions.