Multiple Mass Shootings at Minneapolis Homeless Encampments Leave 13 Wounded
At least 13 people were injured in two separate mass shootings that occurred on the same day at homeless encampments in Minneapolis. The incidents took place on Monday, prompting a police investigation into a possible connection between the two attacks. The shootings mark the fourth and fifth mass shooting incidents in Minneapolis in the last three weeks.
Details of the Shootings
The first shooting occurred Monday morning near the intersection of East Lake Street and Stevens Avenue. Police Chief Brian O'Hara reported that five men were injured in this incident, one critically. The shooting took place near the Interstate 35W & Lake Street Station.
Later that evening, a second mass shooting occurred at a homeless encampment on South 28th Avenue and East Lake Street in the Longfellow neighborhood. Eight people were wounded, with at least four sustaining life-threatening injuries, according to Chief O'Hara. Police were called to the scene around 10 p.m. after an officer working at a nearby Target store was alerted to the gunfire.
Investigation and Official Response
Chief O'Hara stated that detectives are exploring the possibility that the two shootings are connected. The investigation is still in its early stages. Multiple shell casings were found at the scene of the second shooting, suggesting an exchange of gunfire. A fire also broke out in one of the tents at the encampment while police were on scene.
Mayor Jacob Frey expressed his frustration with the situation, stating that the city has been trying to clear the encampment at South 28th Avenue and East Lake Street for months. He emphasized the safety risks posed by these encampments to both residents and the surrounding neighborhood. "These homeless encampments are not safe either for the people that are in them, nor are they safe for the surrounding neighborhood," Frey said at a news conference.
Ongoing Issues and Previous Incidents
The area near the I-35W & Lake Street Station has been flagged as a hotspot for crime. Chief O'Hara noted previous shootings in the area, including one on August 18 and another on August 22. He called for immediate action to shut down the walkway near the transit station, citing problems with drug use and associated issues.
These recent mass shootings follow other violent incidents in Minneapolis, including a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School on August 27, which resulted in the deaths of two children and injuries to 21 others. Another mass shooting on August 26 left one man dead and five others wounded in southwest Minneapolis. The ongoing violence has prompted calls for increased resources and solutions to address the underlying issues.
Statements and Future Actions
In response to the violence, Mayor Frey has called for securing the area and cracking down on dealers and violent offenders. The city is also working to provide pathways for people battling addiction to get help. City crews have begun erecting fencing near the transit station to block off an area.
City Councilmember Jamal Osman has urged the city and the transportation department to take responsibility for the issues and provide resources to connect those in need with housing and treatment. Hamoudi Sabri, the owner of the property where the second shooting occurred, released a statement criticizing the city's approach of displacement and fencing off areas.
