Nudieland shooting: Teenage defendant must stand trial as an adult

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – One of two teenagers allegedly involved in a mass shooting at a Minneapolis home has been classified as an adult as prosecutors seek to hold both accountable for the death of one man and the injuries of several others.

What we know

Prosecutors have been granted a presumptive certificate of majority for Dominic James Burris, 18, of Hinckley, who is charged with one count of murder and six counts of assault during the shootout that left one dead and several injured.

Burris was charged on April 12, 2023, after police investigated the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

On April 23, 2023, prosecutors filed a motion to have Burris certified as an adult in an upcoming trial.

As part of the application, Dr. Jessica Miles testified on August 1, 2024 that Burris’ background, including substance abuse and family instability, may have played a role in his actions.

DIY community shocked

The mass shooting occurred on August 11, 2023, as a local band was finishing a concert in the backyard of a venue called “Nudieland” – in the 2200 block of 16th Avenue South in Minneapolis. The show was an LGBTQ+ friendly gathering with around 30-50 attendees.

When officers arrived on scene, they found seven people suffering from gunshot wounds. A man, identified as 35-year-old Nicholas “August” Golden, suffered a gunshot wound to the back. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators learned that two people were interacting with others at the show shortly before the shooting. They described their interactions with them as “hostile” and said the couple “made insensitive comments after learning the witnesses were lesbians.”

Witnesses told police they noticed both people displaying firearms, and when a witness pointed at the gun, one of them reportedly responded, “We’re not going to use the gun or anything like that, but if we have to, we will.” do,” the indictment says.

The couple eventually walked away when a witness claimed to see the two walking along a fence in the neighboring yard – seconds later they heard gunshots coming from that direction.

The pair were then allegedly seen in the alley, and another witness told authorities he followed them and saw them meeting after the shooting.

According to the charges, investigators used witness statements, forensic evidence and video surveillance to identify the two suspects.

Police recovered eight 9 mm caliber shell casings and one .380 caliber shell casing at the scene, which the prosecution says suggests two firearms were used. Police also say DNA from one of the suspected shooters was found on cigarette butts at the crime scene.

Although Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty and her prosecution team accuse Burris and the second teen of making derogatory comments about sexual orientation before the shooting, the charges do not include hate crimes.

What’s next?

A second defendant’s case is still working its way through the court system, although prosecutors have sought to have him certified as an adult as well.

A trial date has not yet been set.