MEAWW.COM / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

Who is Ivan Harrison Hunter? Boogaloo Bois member fired at Minneapolis police precinct amid George Floyd protests

The incident occurred amid civil unrest after the death of George Floyd in late May when the Minneapolis Police Department building was set on fire

A self-described member of the far-right group 'Boogaloo Bois' has been charged with being involved in a riot after he allegedly shot 13 rounds from an AK-47 style assault rifle into a Minneapolis Police Department building. The incident happened amid civil unrest following the death of George Floyd in late May.

Ivan Hunter, 26, is accused of traveling from Texas to Minneapolis to reportedly meet with other members of the 'Boogaloo Bois' with the reported aim of unleashing violence during the riots. The FBI details 'Boogaloo Bois' as a loosely-organized group driven by militant anti-government sentiments. As per media reports, members of the group often refer to the 'Boogaloo' as an impending civil war that they expect will be provoked by accelerationist acts of terror.

As per an ABC News report, federal officials told they reviewed video of Hunter firing rounds with his AK-47 style assault rifle into the Third Precinct building. This was when the looters were still inside and he also reportedly helped them set the building on fire. As per the investigating agency FBI affidavit, after shooting into the building Hunter hi-fived another individual and while walking towards the camera yelled, "Justice for Floyd!"
 
The affidavit adds that Hunter was pinned as the shooter by an unidentified cooperating defendant. ABC reported that Hunter is the third 'Boogaloo Bois' to face federal charges for his involvement in the Minneapolis riots. Previous, two others, Michael Solomon and Benjamin Teeter, were indicted on charges of conspiracy to serve material support for a foreign terrorist outlet. As per the FBI affidavit, all three were communicating and coordinating their movements regularly through the night of the riots. 

The FBI's probe of Hunter’s notoriety also found he was connected to Boogaloo Bois member Steven Carillo who has been separately charged in the murder of a Federal Protective Officer in Oakland, California. Reportedly, the two are alleged to have exchanged messages immediately after the arson of the Third Precinct building and the murder of the FPS officer. In response to a message from Hunter where he stated Carillo should "go for police buildings," Carillo allegedly responded, "I did better lol."

As per ABC News, Hunter took to his Facebook after the Minneapolis riots and wrote, “I helped the community burn down that police station in Minneapolis," adding, “I didn’t’ protest peacefully Dude ... Want something to change? Start risking felonies for what is good.” He also wrote that BLM protesters "loved me [sic] fireteam and I."

Who is Boogaloo Bois member Ivan Harrison Hunter?

Ivan Harrison Hunter,26, was a reported member of Boogaloo Bois, a far-right, anti-government group. He is accused of opening fire on the police precinct that was burned down on May 27 and 28 as racial justice protestors took to the streets after the killing of George Floyd. As per a federal complaint, Hunter donned a skull mask and tactical gear as he fired a gun at the precinct and allegedly assisted in setting the building on fire. 

United States Department of Justice mentioned his involvement in Minneapolis arson and traffic violations. “Hunter made various statements on social media describing the violence in which he engaged in Minneapolis. On June 3, 2020, officers with the Austin Police Department conducted a traffic stop on a pick-up truck for numerous traffic violations. Hunter was one of three occupants in the vehicle. Hunter, the front seat passenger, had six loaded magazines for an AK-47 style assault rifle affixed to a tactical vest he was wearing. Officers found three semi-automatic rifles on the rear seat of the vehicle, one loaded pistol in plain view next to the driver’s seat, and another loaded pistol in the center console.”

No sooner than the news broke of Hunter's involvement in arson during BLM protests people took to Twitter. A user wrote against Hunter, “While people falsely accuse BLM, here are the REAL terrorists! The audacity of these racists has reached new extremes. And thanks to racial inequities, they have flown under the radar! Now a few will be brought to justice, but all Boogaloo Bois MUST GO!” A user wrote in favor of Hunter “Boogaloo Bois are on y'all side. Ivan shot at the precinct. Pls.”