Amidst the mosaic of Minneapolis’ rich cultural fabric, an incident involving Conell Walter Harris, which transpired at the venerable 19 Bar near Loring Park, culminated in a significant legal outcome. Harris, found guilty of brandishing a firearm and menacing employees while using anti-LGBTQ+ slurs, received a sentencing of 57 months in prison, accompanied by three years of supervised release. The verdict, pronounced by Senior Judge David S. Doty at the U.S. District Court, Minneapolis, underscores the legal ramifications of such actions within an establishment revered as the city’s oldest continuously operational gay bar.
The event, transpiring on November 28, 2022, unfurled as Harris entered the 19 Bar exhibiting unusual behavior, escalating to threats upon being requested to display identification. The ensuing confrontation led Harris to draw a stolen .45 caliber Glock model 30 pistol, augmenting tensions within the establishment. Harris’s alarming remarks and aggressive gestures towards employees and patrons further intensified the situation, encapsulating the visceral fear instilled by such acts.
In the court of law, prosecutors advocated for a five-year sentence, citing Harris’s history of felonies and the potential peril his actions posed in a crowded environment. Conversely, defense attorneys alluded to Harris’s tumultuous upbringing and psychological struggles, asserting that his actions were driven by self-defense within his interpretation of the altercation. Despite the verdict, Harris’s legal journey continues, as he faces additional charges in Hennepin County District Court pertaining to the same incident.
This incident underscores the ongoing struggle for safe spaces within the LGBTQ+ community, highlighting the importance of fostering an environment where all individuals can coexist without fear or intimidation.