Shooting at Minneapolis Apartment Building
A shooting at a downtown Minneapolis apartment building on Wednesday afternoon left three people dead, including the suspected gunman, and at least six others wounded. Police were called to 15 E. Grant St. at 4:36 p.m. following reports of a single person shot. The situation escalated rapidly as additional 911 callers reported further gunfire, and officers arriving on the scene realized they faced an active shooter.
Interim Minneapolis Police Chief Bill Peterson spoke at a news conference, labeling the violence the cowardly act of a shooter they recognized. While the police did not publicly identify the suspect, Peterson confirmed they were familiar with the individual. The department maintained a heavy presence in the area surrounding Loring Park throughout the evening, supported by armored vehicles and tactical teams.
Police Response and Injuries
Officers entered the high-rise structure to locate the source of the gunfire. They navigated to an upper floor where a thick haze blocked visibility. During this pursuit, the officers and the suspect exchanged fire. Three officers were struck during the incident. Officials at Hennepin County Medical Center confirmed that the officers remain in stable condition.
One officer sustained a gunshot wound to the leg, while another was hit twice in the abdomen. A third officer suffered injuries that were not caused by gunfire. Mayor Jacob Frey praised the actions of the police force, noting that the outcome could have been much worse had they not acted immediately to protect residents and transport the wounded to safety. Frey credited the team for preventing further loss of life during the chaotic encounter.
Witnesses and Public Safety
Residents inside the building described a scene of confusion and terror as the violence unfolded. One witness reported walking toward the lobby when she heard gunshots and saw a victim on the floor. She fled the building immediately, hearing between 25 and 30 additional shots as she escaped. Another resident, who had been alerted by a friend, described encountering police who ordered him to leave the building via the lobby, where he also observed multiple people wounded on the ground.
Local business owners, including Sam Turner, who owns the nearby Nicollet Diner, noted that their security cameras captured the sounds of the gunfire. The city cleared the area for several blocks, declaring the scene secure by Wednesday evening. While the immediate threat to the public was neutralized, the incident highlights the ongoing challenges of urban public safety. The federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and the FBI are assisting local authorities with the investigation. The tragedy remains under investigation as the community processes the loss and the recovery of the injured officers.