It was a terrifying scene on Tuesday afternoon when the quiet of a South Minneapolis neighborhood was shattered by rapid gunfire. Just before one thirty in the afternoon, chaos erupted near the intersection of Clinton Avenue and East Twenty-Ninth Street. According to local law enforcement, a suspect unleashed a barrage of bullets using a high-velocity rifle in broad daylight. The attack left one person dead and sent shockwaves through the community as six others were injured in the violence. Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the brazen nature of the attack as completely sickening, noting that approximately thirty rounds were fired during the incident.
When first responders arrived at the chaotic scene just east of Interstate Thirty-Five, they discovered a tragic sight. One man had already succumbed to his injuries, while six other victims—five men and one woman—were found wounded nearby. Three of those injured were rushed to the hospital in critical condition, though officials are hopeful they will all survive. For those living steps away, the gunfire was a moment of pure terror. Resident Eustacio Alatorre shared how he and his family were forced to take immediate shelter in their basement as the shots rang out, leaving his wife deeply shaken by the violence that occurred right on their doorstep.
Investigators are working around the clock to track down the person responsible for this heinous act. Chief O’Hara indicated that at least one of the victims appears to have been specifically targeted, rather than this being a random act of violence. The shooter managed to flee the area in a vehicle before officers could arrive, but police say they are currently pursuing strong leads to bring the suspect to justice. Tragically, this was not the only violence the city saw on Tuesday. Two other fatal shootings occurred hours later in separate incidents, adding to a heavy twenty-four hours for the Minneapolis Police Department and the community at large.
