At least 13 people were wounded in two separate shootings at homeless encampments in Minneapolis within a 12-hour span, marking the city’s fourth and fifth mass shootings in three weeks. Five of the victims are in critical condition.
Mayor Jacob Frey described the violence as “tragic, horrible, and unacceptable,” noting he would not be surprised if the two shootings were connected.
Monday Night Shooting Leaves Eight Wounded
According to Police Chief Brian O’Hara, the most recent shooting unfolded Monday night at a large homeless encampment near South 28th Avenue and East Lake Street. Around 10 p.m., multiple people ran to a nearby Target officer reporting gunfire.
The officer heard shots as he approached the scene. Police found five victims on site, including a man and woman inside tents with head wounds, while three others arrived at hospitals on their own. At least four victims sustained life-threatening injuries.
Earlier Shooting Leaves Five Injured
Earlier that same day, just after 11 a.m., gunfire erupted at another encampment near East Lake Street and Stevens Avenue, injuring five people, including one critically. Police are investigating whether the two incidents are connected.
O’Hara said evidence indicates a gunfight may have occurred between someone inside the encampment and the shooter. No arrests have been made.
Fire Breaks Out Amid Chaos
While officers secured the scene, a fire ignited in one of the tents, forcing firefighters to respond. It remains unclear whether the fire was linked to the shooting.
City Struggles With Encampment Safety
Mayor Frey emphasized that the city has long considered the encampment unsafe for both residents and the surrounding neighborhood. Efforts to clear the site have been met with resistance from the property owner.
“These homeless encampments are not safe either for the people in them or for the neighborhood,” Frey said.
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Recent Surge in Minneapolis Violence
The shootings come amid a wave of gun violence in the city:
- On Aug. 27, a shooting at Annunciation Catholic School killed two children and injured 21.
- On Aug. 26, a gunman with a high-powered rifle killed one man and wounded five others on East 29th Street.
No arrests have been announced in either of those cases.
