Conflict Resolution Group

21 photos · 2021

21 photographs tagged Conflict Resolution Group, 2021.

ACAB CRG GI JOKE graffiti at Seven Points Mall — Concrete barriers, erected as temporary barricades, bear graffiti near Seven Points Mall in Minneapolis. The markings include "ACAB," "Fuck Your Property," and "CRG=GI JOKE," alongside a tribute reading "WINSTON SMITH RIP." /smith/

Security fencing and wrap around Seven Points Mall ramp — Security fencing surrounds the Seven Points Mall parking garage at the intersection of Lake Street and Girard Avenue in Minneapolis. The increased security measures were in place the day before the county attorney announced that no charges would be filed against officers involved in the June 3, 2021, shooting death of Winston Smith. The officers were part of a federal task force serving a warrant at the time of the incident. The area has been a site of protests and unrest, particularly following Smith's death and the Minneapolis Uprising of 2020.

Private security installing razor wire — Private security personnel install razor wire atop fencing surrounding the parking garage at Lake & Girard in Minneapolis. This action occurred on June 7, 2021, the day before the County Attorney announced that no charges would be filed against the officers involved in the fatal shooting of Winston Smith on June 3rd. Smith, a federal task force informant, was killed during an encounter with officers, sparking protests and calls for accountability.

CRG GI Joke Winston Smith Protest Graffiti — Concrete barricades, erected around the parking garage where Winston Smith was killed on June 3, 2021, bear graffiti referencing the incident. One message reads "CRG = G.I. Joke," referring to the private security firm Conflict Resolution Group (CRG), while another states "WINSTON SMITH WAS ASSASSINATED BLOOD ON YOUR HANDS SAY HIS NAME."

CRG security truck parked at Seven Points Mall in Minneapolis with portable lighting equipment nearby. — Conflict Resolution Group (CRG), a private security firm based in Minneapolis, operated this military surplus truck as part of overnight security patrols at Seven Points Mall. Portable lighting stands and orange extension cords set up nearby powered the truck's equipment after dark.

Seven Points ramp with bright security lights — The Seven Points parking ramp in Uptown Minneapolis remains blocked off following protests that occurred following the killings of Winston Smith and Deona Marie. On June 3, 2021, members of a U.S. Marshals Service fugitive task force fatally shot 32-year-old Winston “Boogie” Smith Jr. on the top level of a parking ramp in Minneapolis’ Uptown neighborhood while attempting to arrest him on a felony warrant. Authorities said Smith fired a handgun from inside his vehicle during the encounter, while family members and activists questioned the official account and demanded the release of additional evidence. The killing led to weeks of protests, street occupations, and confrontations with police in Uptown, becoming another major flashpoint in Minneapolis during the period following the murder of George Floyd. Earlier in the day Minneapolis city officials along with The Agape Movement coordinated to open the streets that had been closed at George Floyd Square since his murder. On June 13, 2021, 31-year-old Deona Marie Knajdek was killed when a driver accelerated into a group of demonstrators gathered in Minneapolis’ Uptown neighborhood during ongoing protests over the killing of Winston “Boogie” Smith Jr. Protesters had blocked the intersection of West Lake Street and Girard Avenue with vehicles and barricades when Nicholas Kraus drove a Jeep Cherokee into the crowd at high speed, killing Knajdek and injuring several others. Kraus was later charged with second-degree murder, two counts of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon, and criminal vehicular operation. In 2023, he pleaded guilty to murder and assault charges and was sentenced to more than 20 years in prison for the attack.

A private security guard stands by a Wacker Neuson light tower at Seven Points Mall in Minneapolis. — A private security guard at Seven Points Mall in Minneapolis stands near a Wacker Neuson LTN light tower. Seven Points Mall, formerly Calhoun Square, is an Uptown retail complex at Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue. The area was a center of protests in 2021 after law enforcement killed Winston Smith in a nearby parking ramp.

Private security guard with a dog patrols Seven Points Mall in Minneapolis. — A Conflict Resolution Group private security guard with a dog patrols near the Seven Points mall parking ramp in Minneapolis. Seven Points, formerly Calhoun Square, is a retail property in Uptown near Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue. Private security operated around the property during July 2021 protests connected to Winston Smith.

Paramilitary Contractors in Uptown — A sign posted in Uptown Minneapolis reads, "Paramilitary contractors accountable to no one are running around uptown now." Below this, handwritten text states, "They assaulted someone last night." This sign appeared following the deployment of a private security company to patrol the Winston Smith and Deona Marie Memorial sites.

Nighttime security lights outside Seven Points Mall ramp in Minneapolis — Security lighting outside the Seven Points parking ramp that Winston Smith was killed at.

Fencing at Winston Smith protest site July 2021 — Temporary fencing and concrete barriers surround a parking garage that previously served as a memorial site for Winston Smith and Deona Marie in Minneapolis. The site became a focal point for protests following Smith's death in June 2021.

Private Security Surveillance in Uptown — A private security guard, likely employed by Conflict Resolution Group (CRG), observes Lake Street in Minneapolis from an elevated position. The guard is equipped with binoculars and a spotting scope, suggesting a need for surveillance during a period of civil unrest.

Armed private security in Uptown Minneapolis July 2021 — Private security contractors, some armed and carrying zip ties, clear the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorial in Uptown Minneapolis. The memorial was established in the space that had served as a protest zone since June 3rd, following the law enforcement killing of Winston Smith. Deona Marie was killed ten days later when a vehicle drove through barricades protecting protesters.

Deona Marie Memorial after clearing by police — The Deona Marie Memorial Site in Uptown Minneapolis is shown after being cleared by private security contractors. The memorial, initially a guerrilla garden, was established in honor of Deona Marie Knajdek, who was killed in a shooting incident in the area. Deona Marie had been protesting the law enforcement killing of Winston Smith when a vehicle drove through street barricades killing her.

Signs outside the newly cleared Winston Smith Protest — Memorial signs for Winston Smith and Deona Marie Knajdek are placed near barricades at the former Seven Points Mall site in Minneapolis. These signs, some reading "Winston Smith Was Assassinated" and "This Is A Peace Garden NO Alcohol," were part of a memorial that emerged following protests and unrest in the city. The site has been the subject of ongoing activism and remembrance, particularly after the killing of Winston Smith by private security forces in June 2021.

Private security at Seven Points — Private security personnel, identified as Conflict Resolution Group (CRG), are seen placing traffic cones outside the Seven Points Mall parking garage in Minneapolis. This occurred during a period of civil unrest in the city, following the murder of George Floyd in May 2020. The presence of private security, alongside law enforcement, was a common sight during protests and demonstrations in Minneapolis throughout the summer of 2020.

Armed private security at Seven Points protest — A private security guard stands near the Seven Points Mall protest site in Minneapolis. The area was a protest zone following the law enforcement killing of Winston Smith on June 3rd, and the subsequent death of Deona Marie ten days later when a vehicle drove through barricades into protesters. The security personnel were observed carrying restraint zip ties and were armed, wearing military-style fatigue uniforms.

Private security at peace garden in Minneapolis — Private security personnel, some armed with restraint zip ties and wearing military-style fatigues, are seen clearing the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorial site in Uptown Minneapolis. This memorial was established in a protest zone following the law enforcement killing of Winston Smith on June 3rd. Deona Marie was killed ten days later when a vehicle drove through barricades into protesters.

Winston Smith Memorial Garden clearing — Private security clears out the Winston Smith and Deona Marie memorial in Uptown Minneapolis. Some of the contractors were carrying restraint zip ties while being armed with military fatigue. The space had been a protest zone after law enforcement killed Winston Smith on June 3rd. Deona Marie was killed 10 days later when a man drove through barricades into the protesters.

An armed security guard stands at Seven Points Mall in Minneapolis near Wince Way. — An armed Conflict Resolution Group security guard worked inside a fenced area at Seven Points Mall in Minneapolis. The Uptown property was secured after protests over the June 2021 killing of Winston Smith by federal law enforcement officers. Wince Way, a street by the mall, was one of the nearby areas associated with the security presence.

CRG security guard on Wince Way outside Seven Points Mall in Uptown Minneapolis. — A Conflict Resolution Group security guard patrols Wince Way outside Seven Points Mall in Uptown Minneapolis on July 14, 2021. CRG was working private security at the property during protests and security operations that followed the killing of Winston Smith nearby in June 2021. Concrete barriers and fencing controlled access around the mall area.

Built in Minneapolis

Minneapolis Photographer

An ongoing archive of work.

Facebook Instagram Threads X Bluesky Flickr

© 1996–2026 Chad Davis