A deadly shooting inside a downtown Minneapolis apartment building left two people dead, wounded multiple others, and triggered a large-scale law enforcement response on Wednesday as officers worked to secure the area and rescue residents.
Authorities said the suspected gunman also died during the incident, bringing the total number of deaths to three. Among those injured were three police officers who came under fire while responding to emergency calls from the building.
The violence began during the late afternoon at a residential high-rise near East Grant Street. Emergency dispatchers received reports of a shooting shortly after 4:30 p.m. Officers arrived within minutes and immediately entered the building after learning that victims had been struck by gunfire.
As police moved through the property, they heard additional shots coming from higher levels of the apartment complex. Officers followed the sound and attempted to locate the shooter while helping residents reach safety.
Officials said first responders encountered extremely difficult conditions inside the building. A haze on one of the upper floors reduced visibility and complicated efforts to identify threats and assist victims.
During the operation, three officers suffered injuries. One officer was seriously wounded after being shot twice in the abdomen and later underwent surgery. Another officer was struck in the leg. A third officer received injuries that authorities described as non-life-threatening.
Several civilians were also caught in the attack. Emergency medical teams transported multiple victims to nearby hospitals. One victim later died from injuries sustained during the shooting, while another person was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators believe the suspect died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound after the attack. Officials confirmed that law enforcement agencies had previous knowledge of the individual, although details about earlier encounters were not immediately released.
The incident prompted one of the largest emergency responses seen in downtown Minneapolis in recent months. Police vehicles, ambulances, tactical units, and specialized response teams quickly surrounded the area.
Officers from neighboring communities joined Minneapolis police in securing the scene. State law enforcement agencies, transit police, sheriff’s deputies, and federal personnel also responded as authorities worked to contain the situation and search the building.
Officials later revealed that several additional officers experienced health problems after exposure to an unidentified airborne substance inside the apartment complex. Two other officers were injured in a traffic collision while rushing to the emergency scene.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said all injured officers were expected to recover. He thanked first responders for their efforts and praised their actions during a dangerous and rapidly developing situation.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also commended officers for their response. He noted that police entered the building despite active gunfire, helped evacuate residents, and provided aid to victims while placing themselves in harm’s way.
Investigators have not announced an official motive. However, information emerging from the early investigation suggests the suspect had recently faced housing-related issues.
Sources familiar with the case said the individual had reportedly been evicted from the apartment building earlier the same day. Court records indicate the suspect had previously been involved in incidents that allegedly included threats involving firearms.
In one reported event, the suspect was accused of threatening a security employee while displaying a gun. Another incident involved allegations that the suspect threatened a resident while carrying a visible firearm near the property.
Residents described terrifying moments as the attack unfolded. Some said they heard repeated gunshots echoing through the building. Others locked themselves inside apartments and hid while waiting for police to secure the area.
Witnesses who escaped the building reported seeing injured people and emergency crews rushing toward the scene. Many described confusion and fear as law enforcement vehicles filled nearby streets and tactical teams entered the property.
The shooting has also renewed concerns about violence at the apartment complex. Records show another deadly shooting occurred at the same building less than a year ago, resulting in multiple deaths.
Authorities continue to gather evidence, review witness statements, and examine the circumstances that led to the attack. Investigators are urging anyone with information to contact law enforcement as they work to establish a complete timeline of events.
The case remains under active investigation, and officials say additional details will be released as more facts become available.
