Two people were killed and several others were injured after a deadly shooting at a downtown Minneapolis apartment building on Wednesday, prompting a large emergency response and a lengthy police operation.
Authorities said the suspected gunman also died after the attack. Three police officers were among those injured while responding to reports of gunfire inside the residential high-rise near East Grant Street.
Police received the first emergency call at about 4:36 p.m. Officers arrived within minutes and found a person suffering from a gunshot wound inside the building. As officers moved through the property, they followed the sound of additional gunfire coming from higher floors.
According to officials, officers encountered difficult conditions while entering the building. Visibility was limited by a haze on an upper level, making it harder for first responders to locate victims and identify the source of the gunfire.
During the response, three officers were struck or injured. One officer underwent surgery after being shot twice in the stomach. Another officer suffered a gunshot wound to the leg. A third officer received injuries that authorities described as non-life-threatening.
Several civilians were also caught in the violence. Four victims were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment. One of those victims later died. Another person was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Officials later stated that law enforcement was familiar with the suspect from previous interactions, although authorities initially withheld further details while the investigation continued.
The incident triggered a massive response from local, state, and federal agencies. Officers from neighboring cities, state law enforcement units, transit police, and sheriff’s departments joined Minneapolis police at the scene. Specialized tactical teams and armored vehicles were also deployed as authorities worked to secure the building and protect residents.
Emergency medical crews lined nearby streets while officers evacuated residents and searched for additional victims. The area around the apartment complex remained heavily secured for hours as investigators gathered evidence and interviewed witnesses.
Officials reported that four additional officers experienced health issues after exposure to an unidentified airborne substance inside the building. Two more officers were injured in a vehicle crash while rushing to assist at the scene.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz later said all injured officers were expected to recover. State and local leaders praised the actions of first responders who entered the building despite the ongoing threat.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the officers’ actions as heroic. He said they helped rescue victims, moved residents to safety, and continued their response even after fellow officers had been wounded.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison also expressed support for the victims, their families, and responding officers. He called the shooting a tragic event and pledged assistance from his office as investigators work to determine exactly what happened.
Authorities are still investigating a possible motive. However, sources familiar with the case said the suspect had reportedly been evicted from the apartment building earlier on the same day.
Court records show the suspect had been involved in several incidents in recent months that allegedly included threats involving firearms. In one reported event, he was accused of making verbal threats and displaying a gun to a security officer. In another incident, he allegedly threatened a resident while carrying a visible firearm.
Witnesses described scenes of panic as gunfire erupted inside and around the building. Some residents sheltered in place, locking doors and hiding in bathrooms while police worked to contain the situation.
Others reported hearing repeated gunshots and seeing injured victims after escaping the building. Residents said the incident created fear and confusion as emergency vehicles and officers flooded the area from multiple directions.
The shooting also renewed concerns about safety at the apartment complex. Officials noted that another deadly shooting occurred at the same building less than a year ago, resulting in two deaths.
As investigators continue gathering evidence, authorities are urging anyone with information about the attack to come forward. The investigation remains active as officials seek to understand the events that led to one of the city’s most serious incidents of violence this year.
