Three dead in Minneapolis shooting; Officers’ response praised

A shooting at a downtown Minneapolis apartment building late Wednesday afternoon left three dead, including two civilians and the suspect. Six others, including three police officers, were injured, city officials said in a statement. The three officers, two of whom were injured by gunfire, were expected to make a full recovery, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said on Wednesday night. In addition to those injured, four other officers experienced adverse effects after being exposed to an unknown airborne substance, officials said.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised the officers for their heroic work, stating that if not for them, the death toll would have been far higher.

Police did not release the name of the deceased suspected shooter, but Peterson said officers were familiar with the person.

How did the shooting go down? Police responded to a report of one person shot at the apartment building around 4:30 p.m. CT, Minneapolis Police Interim Chief Bill Peterson said at a news conference. Then additional 911 callers reported hearing more gunfire, he said. As officers rushed into the building, they found wounded people in the lobby. Gunfire came from an upper floor, where police encountered a haze that limited their visibility, Peterson said. It was unclear what caused hazy air, he added.

Police exchanged gunfire with the shooter while rescuing victims, Peterson said. He noted that it was unknown how the suspected shooter died. One victim died at the scene, while another died later at a hospital.