Five women are killed shortly after leaving the henna tattoo shop ahead of a friend’s wedding when a speeding suspect trying to flee police hits 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 headed 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 their car was hit by a driver trying to evade police at high speed.
Sabiriin Ali, 17; Sarah Gesaade, 20; Salma Abdikadir, 20; Sagal Hersi, 19; and Siham Adam, 19, have been identified as victims of the horrific incident. Three are cousins, one a relative and the other a close friend.
The women shopped last-minute at a Minneapolis mall on Friday and got tattoos for a friend’s wedding the next day. They were on their way home when the accident happened.
They were driving down Lake Street just before 10 p.m. when an SUV being followed by a state police officer ran a red light and rammed their car.
All five were pronounced dead at the scene of the accident.
According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, the driver is 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 their car was hit by a driver trying to evade police at high speed. 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 of 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 on her way to the University of Minnesota
Thompson tried to flee the accident but was found at a nearby Taco Bell after bystanders called the police.
According to the state Department of Public Safety, a Minnesota State Police officer began chasing the SUV down a freeway when it was traveling at close to 100 miles per hour, down from a speed limit of 55 miles per hour in south Minneapolis hour applies.
The SUV veered off the freeway before it could be stopped, 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 pearls of our community.” They leave a big void. “All five had bright futures,” 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 did nothing wrong,” added Omar. “They were getting ready for their boyfriend’s wedding.”
Omar noted that all five women volunteered at the Islamic Center and Ali and her mother worked as caregivers while Abdikadir often taught the children how to read and write in Arabic.
All five are due to be buried on Monday.
The girls began driving down Lake Street just before 10 p.m. when an SUV being pursued by a Minnesota State Police officer ran a red light and crashed into their car
Thompson was also injured in the accident. He is currently in the hospital after being tested for drugs and alcohol.
The Islamic Center has launched a public fundraiser for the families involved, which has raised over $317,000.
“It is with deep sadness that our church suffered a heartbreaking tragedy last night.” We lost five of our bright young sisters in a serious car accident. May Allah have mercy on the deceased and open the doors of Jannah to them.
“These young Muslim sisters were shining stars of hope for our future.” Unfortunately, their lives were taken last night by a driver escaping police.”