A shooting outside a high school homecoming game in the normally quiet Minneapolis suburb of Eden Prairie left two people injured and forced officials to call off the remaining celebrations, according to reports. Authorities are investigating whether the violence stemmed from a conflict involving local Somali immigrant gangs.
Gunfire erupted shortly before 9 p.m. Friday outside Eden Prairie High School as the homecoming matchup against Minnetonka was underway. Thousands of spectators rushed toward the exits in panic, FOX 9 reported.
The Eden Prairie Police Department said Saturday that two Somali nationals, ages 17 and 18, were wounded in the parking lot near the school’s Aerie Stadium. Both teens were known to police, officials said.
Sources told Fox 9 that investigators believe the shooting may have been connected to an ongoing dispute between local Somali immigrant gangs.
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Police said a large altercation broke out on the west side of the stadium shortly before shots were fired.
The 17-year-old remains hospitalized with injuries that are not considered life-threatening. The 18-year-old was treated and released on Saturday, according to police.
Neither victim was enrolled at Eden Prairie High School or Minnetonka High School, KARE 11 reported.
“Police believe the shooting was gang-related,” the department said in its statement.
Investigators are continuing to search for at least one vehicle believed to have been used as a getaway car.