Minneapolis, Minnesota — A surge of violence in south Minneapolis has left three people dead after a late-night shooting on Tuesday, which authorities believe was targeted and possibly linked to gang activity. The deadly events continued into Wednesday, culminating in an additional shooting that raised concerns of retaliation.
Police responded to emergency alerts shortly before midnight in the Midtown Phillips neighborhood, where they discovered five individuals suffering from gunshot wounds in an alley at the intersection of Bloomington Avenue South and East 25th Street. Chief of Police Brian O’Hara reported that three victims—comprised of a teenager, a man, and a woman—were pronounced dead at the scene, while two additional victims, a man and a woman, were rushed to a local hospital. The male victim is currently in critical condition.
O’Hara described the initial shooting as having a “high probability” of being targeted and potentially gang-related. Just an hour later, multiple gunshots rang out five blocks away, but when officers arrived, no one was found injured, although shell casings indicated a violent incident had occurred. Shortly thereafter, a person with gunshot wounds was dropped off at Abbott Northwestern Hospital, suggesting a possible connection to the earlier unrest.
The turmoil continued later on Wednesday evening when a man was shot in a separate incident around 8 p.m. on the 3000 block of 15th Avenue South. He was subsequently transported to the hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. The police have not released details about any suspects involved in this recent spate of violence, and no arrests have been made as of late Wednesday.
Community leaders and residents are raising alarms over the seeming escalation in violence, seeking solutions amid ongoing fears for public safety. Local advocacy groups are urging for more resources and community policing initiatives to curtail the cycle of retaliation and to foster a safer environment for residents.
Officials are investigating whether the recent shootings are interconnected and reflect deeper issues within the community, including gang affiliations and territorial conflicts. As the city grapples with these violent incidents, the call for a united effort to confront the underlying causes of such crime is echoed by many.
As Minneapolis continues to deal with the aftermath of these events, residents have expressed their frustration and sadness over the loss of life. The ripple effects of such violence extend beyond mere statistics, impacting families and neighborhoods throughout the city. The police department has stated that they are committed to thoroughly investigating these shootings to restore a sense of security to the community.