Two Men Plead Guilty To Arson Of Target Corporation Headquarters

 United States Attorney Erica H. MacDonald today announced the guilty pleas of SHADOR TOMMIE CORTEZ JACKSON, 24, and LEROY LEMONTE PERRY WILLIAMS, 34, to one count each of conspiracy to commit arson of the Target Corporation’s corporate headquarters building located at 1000 Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis, Minnesota. JACKSON and WILLIAMS are scheduled to be sentenced on May 4 and May 18, 2021, respectively, before Judge Patrick J. Schiltz in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis.

According to the defendants’ guilty pleas and documents filed with the court, on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, Minneapolis experienced arson, rioting, and looting following the suicide of a suspect in a homicide, and in response to false rumors surrounding the man’s death. JACKSON, WILLIAMS, and their co-defendant, VICTOR DEVON EDWARDS, 31, went to the Target Corporation’s corporate headquarters building (“Target Corporation building”) where dozens of other people had gathered. JACKSON used a construction sign to break through one of the glass doors into the Target Corporation building. JACKSON, WILLIAMS, and EDWARDS, along with others, breached the doors and entered the Target Corporation building. Once inside, JACKSON, aided and abetted by EDWARDS, intentionally set a fire on a counter inside the mailroom. JACKSON attempted to light a second fire in the mailroom on top of cardboard boxes using a lighter and a bottle of ignitable liquid. JACKSON, WILLIAMS, EDWARDS, along with identified and unidentified others, then ran out of the building using the same door. WILLIAMS subsequently re-entered the building and attempted to light a fire inside the building entrance before leaving the scene. 

This case is the result of an investigation by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF), the Minneapolis Fire Department, and the Minneapolis, Bloomington, and Richfield Police Departments.

This case is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Chelsea A. Walcker.

Defendant Information:

SHADOR TOMMIE CORTEZ JACKSON, 24

Richfield, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit arson, 1 count

LEROY LEMONTE PERRY WILLIAMS, 34

Minneapolis, Minn.

Convicted:

• Conspiracy to commit arson, 1 count