Just days after securing reelection on a progressive criminal justice platform, Minneapolis City Councilman Jamal Osman found himself on the receiving end of the very crime wave he has sought to address through reform. According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, Osman was carjacked on Monday by two armed teens, aged 15 and 16, who used mace to threaten him before stealing his vehicle, crashing it, and fleeing on foot. Both were apprehended shortly after.
The irony of the incident has not been lost on observers — or on Osman himself, who acknowledged the contradiction with a dose of realism. “Didn’t really think it was going to happen to me,” he admitted with a chuckle during a press conference.
Osman’s campaign, backed by high-profile progressives like Rep. Ilhan Omar and state Sen. Omar Fateh, promoted restorative justice programs, alternative responses to 911 calls, and violence prevention initiatives. But following the attack, the councilman emphasized a more balanced approach: “I’m not a legal expert, but there has to be some kind of consequences with the action. If individuals know they can get away [with] this kind of heinous behavior or crimes, they’re going to continue doing it again.”
ℹ️ Earlier tonight, I was the victim of a carjacking. I’m safe and home with my family in Phillips West.
I really appreciate the quick response from @MinneapolisPD – and the outreach from @MayorFrey and Chief @MplsPDChief O’Hara.
👇🏾Full statement below. pic.twitter.com/FEzjQmrosE
— Jamal Osman (@JamalOsmanMN) November 11, 2025
Osman praised the police for their rapid response and doubled down on his support for youth intervention efforts, including mentorship programs, after-school activities, and employment opportunities for teens — particularly in middle schools. Still, his comments reflect a growing recognition among even progressive leaders that prevention must be paired with accountability.
The incident comes amid troubling crime data for Minneapolis. According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the city led the state in both carjackings (329) and murders (77) in 2024, accounting for a disproportionate share of violent crime in Minnesota. Carjackings rose 21% from the previous year, while homicides ticked up 6%, continuing a post-2020 trend that has left many residents — and elected officials — on edge.
One of the teens who carjacked Osman was already “known to police” and had reportedly been involved in another carjacking earlier the same evening, highlighting concerns about repeat juvenile offenders and the limits of existing interventions.
Police Chief O’Hara acknowledged the broader trend: “While overall crime in Minneapolis has declined over the last few years, we continue to see a troubling number of violent incidents and, in particular, incidents that involve juveniles.”
Osman, a former Somali refugee who first took office in 2020 during the aftermath of George Floyd’s death and the ensuing civil unrest, has been a vocal advocate for criminal justice reform. But his own experience with violent crime — and the community’s persistent struggle with it — may complicate the city’s broader policy conversation moving forward.
