Five women are killed shortly after leaving the henna tattoo shop ahead of a friend’s wedding, when suspect trying to flee, speeding, police hit them
- The women, aged between 17 and 20, were pronounced dead at the scene on Lake Street in Minneapolis.
- They were all getting ready for a friend’s wedding and going home on Friday night
- The driver was identified as 27-year-old Derrick John Thompson
A group of five Minnesota women who were preparing for a friend’s wedding by getting henna tattoos were killed Friday night after a driver who was trying to drive away from police crashed into their car.
Sabiriin Ali, 17; Sahra Gesaade, 20; Salma Abdikadir, 20; Sagal Hersi, 19; and Siham Adam, 19 were identified as the victims of the horrific incident. Three are cousins, a relative and a close friend.
The women did last-minute shopping at a Minneapolis mall on Friday and got the tattoos done the next day for a friend’s wedding. They were on their way home when the accident happened.
They began driving down Lake Street just before 10 p.m. when an SUV followed by a state police officer ran a red light and crashed into their car.
All five were pronounced dead at the scene of the crash.
The driver is 27-year-old Derrick John Thompson Minneapolis Star Stand.
A group of five Minnesota women who were preparing for a friend’s wedding by getting henna tattoos were killed Friday night after a driver who was trying to drive away from police crashed into their car. Sagal Hersi, 19, and Siham Adam, also 19, were two of the victims
Sahra Gesaade, 20, and Salma Abdikadir, 20, were two of the victims in the tragic crash. Abidkadir volunteered as a tutor at her local mosque
Sabiriin Ali, 17, was the youngest of the five killed. She had just graduated from high school and was attending the University of Minnesota
Thompson tried to run from the crash, but was found in a nearby Taco Bell after onlookers called the police.
A Minnesota State Police trooper gave chase to the SUV on a highway as it was traveling at nearly 100 mph, where the speed limit is 34 mph in southern Minneapolis, according to the state’s Department of Public Security.
The SUV left the freeway before it could be stopped and ran a red light and crashed into the woman’s car.
According to director Khalid Omar, the five were regular visitors to the Dar Al-Farooq Islamic Center in nearby Bloomington, Minnesota.
“These are jewels of our community. They leave a big void. All five of them had a bright future,” he said.
Ali had just graduated from high school and was due to attend the University of Minnesota, while the other four were all currently in college.
“They didn’t do anything wrong,” Omar added. “They were just getting ready for their friend’s wedding.”
Omar noted that all five women volunteered at the Islamic Center, with Ali and her mother working as caretakers, while Abdikadir often taught children to read and write in Arabic.
All five will be buried on Monday.
The girls began driving down Lake Street just before 10 p.m. when an SUV being followed by a Minnesota State Police trooper ran a red light and crashed into their car.
Thompson was also injured in the crash. He is currently in hospital after being tested for drugs and alcohol.
The Islamic Center started with a public fundraiser for the families involved, raising more than $317,000.
“We are deeply saddened today as our community experienced a heartbreaking tragedy last night. We lost five of our bright young sisters in a serious car accident. May Allah have mercy on the departed and open the doors of Jannah for them,” the page read.
“These young Muslim sisters were shining stars of hope for our future. Unfortunately, their lives were cut short last night by a driver who evaded the police.’