Several civilians were killed and two police officers were wounded Wednesday afternoon after an active shooter opened fire inside a downtown Minneapolis apartment building, authorities and local reports said.
The officers were responding to reports of gunfire near 15 East Grant Street when one was shot in the abdomen and the other in the leg, KSTP reports.
A law enforcement source confirmed to the station that multiple civilians died in the attack. Dispatch audio obtained by the Minneapolis Star Tribune also indicated that authorities took down the shooter.
Hennepin County officials later confirmed that the unidentified suspect had been taken into custody.
Images from the scene showed a heavy police response surrounding Loring Towers in downtown Minneapolis.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz added that his public safety team was also responding to the shooting, and noted that state officials are ‘on the ground to support local law enforcement.’
By 5.30pm, ATF agents, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents all responded to the scene.
FBI Director Kash Patel also shared on social media that agents are responding to the scene as he vowed to ‘offer any and all resources necessary to assist local authorities.’
Two police officers were shot while responding to reports of an active shooter on Wednesday
Photos from the scene show a massive police presence, as other emergency officials arrived
Minneapolis police, agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives rushed to the scene
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said his public safety team was also responding to the shooting
Anthony Strong told the Star Tribune how he was smoking behind the apartment building when he heard gunfire.
‘It was pop, pop, pop, pop and it was a bunch more after that, and then I went upstairs,’ he recounted.
There, he said he saw a property manager on the ground ‘and outside, there [were] two more people shot on the ground.
‘And then I saw them bring an officer out that got shot in the leg.’
Strong said he is still trying to ‘process’ what he witnessed.
Umecua Agnew, a resident of the building, also said she was in the elevator on the first floor when the shots rang out.
‘It was three adults and one child in the elevator, we were all together and when we got to the first floor, it was when we heard the massive shooting,’ she said.
At that point, Agnew said she and another woman grabbed the child and went to her eighth-floor apartment, from where she heard more gunfire.
Multiple civilians were reportedly killed in the attack on Wednesday evening
A nearby hotel was placed on lockdown amid the shooting
By 5.30pm, ATF agents, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office deputies and Bureau of Criminal Apprehension agents all responded to the scene
Officers are asking the public to avoid the area of 15 East Grant Street
As the investigation now continues, officers are asking the public to avoid the area.
Meanwhile, a nearby hotel remains on lockdown.
In a statement on social media, House Majority Whip Tom Emmer said he and his wife are ‘praying for the Minneapolis police officers involved in this tragedy and all the victims.’
He added that he is in contact with law enforcement and is awaiting further information.
‘God bless our Peace Officers,’ Emmer wrote.
Residents were evacuated from the apartment building following the shooting
Lisa Demuth, speaker of the Minnesota House who is now running for governor, also said she was ‘aware of reports regarding a shooting in downtown Minneapolis.
‘I am praying for the victims of this heinous crime and I’m incredibly thankful for the massive response of our brave law enforcement officers.’
The Daily Mail has reached out to Minneapolis police for more information.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.