Gunfire erupted Wednesday afternoon in a downtown Minneapolis apartment building, resulting in three deaths, including the suspect, and five other individuals wounded, authorities reported.
Among the injured were two Minneapolis police officers, with a third officer sustaining other injuries. All three officers are in stable condition at Hennepin County Medical Center, according to police.
The initial 911 call reporting shots fired at the building was received shortly after 4:30 p.m. Officers arrived on the scene and entered the building within two minutes, quickly encountering victims. As officers proceeded further, they heard additional gunshots and ascended to a higher floor, where they found a dense haze that significantly obscured visibility, police said.
One officer was shot in the leg, and another sustained two gunshot wounds to the abdomen. All injured officers are expected to recover fully.
Authorities have not released details about the suspected shooter but indicated they had prior knowledge of the individual. "I'm truly sickened by this level of violence," stated Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson. "That feeling is tempered only by the courageous actions of the Minneapolis police officers, who responded without hesitation, confronted an extraordinarily dangerous situation and worked to end the violence and restore safety."
One victim died at the scene, and another succumbed to their injuries after arriving at the hospital. The manner of the shooter's death is not yet clear.
Hennepin County Medical Center reported receiving seven patients.
Residents of the building described hearing multiple shots. Julius Bailey, a resident, stated he saw a man he recognized as a building resident holding a pistol and heard a woman scream. Bailey said he had previously noted the man as someone known to display a weapon and had tried to avoid him.
Another resident, Chris Miller, also reported hearing rapid gunfire and seeking safety outside. Miller indicated he believed he knew the shooter and had reported encountering an individual with a handgun in the hallway earlier in the week to building management.
Video circulating on social media appeared to show police aiming rifles toward an apartment tower near the Minneapolis Convention Center. Officials advised residents to avoid the nearby Loring Park neighborhood.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed state officials were on the ground assisting local law enforcement. The FBI also stated it was responding to the incident and would provide necessary resources to local authorities.