Two Shot in Head, Five Injured at Minneapolis Homeless Camp

Homeless Encampment in Minneapolis Becomes Site of Deadly Shooting

A tragic incident occurred at a homeless encampment in the Longfellow neighborhood of Minneapolis on Monday night, when seven individuals were shot. The event took place in the 2700 block of East Lake Street just after 10 p.m., prompting over 20 police units to respond. This was the second mass shooting on East Lake Street within a single day.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara expressed concern for the safety and well-being of the city’s residents. He emphasized that everyone deserves peace and security in their homes and neighborhoods. O'Hara noted that while the city has experienced a significant amount of violence recently, the department remains committed to ensuring public safety.

Three of the seven injured individuals sustained life-threatening injuries. A man and a woman were shot in the head while in separate tents, and another man was shot in the stomach. Initially, police reported eight people injured, but this number was later revised by O'Hara on Tuesday afternoon.

An off-duty officer at a nearby Target store witnessed multiple people running for help and heard gunfire, according to O'Hara. The incident has raised concerns among local residents and authorities alike.

Legal Actions and Community Concerns

A Hennepin County judge delayed a decision regarding a temporary restraining order against the owner of the parking lot where the encampment is located. The decision will be made on Monday, with the condition that the owner does not allow the camp to return.

Jeremiah Boblett, a neighbor who heard the shots on Monday, expressed worry for the safety of his children and the students attending a school nearby. He described the situation as a tragedy, emphasizing that the presence of drugs and gangs has been allowed to persist for too long, negatively impacting the community.

Mayor Jacob Frey stated that the city has been attempting to clear the encampment for months, facing resistance from the property owner, Hamoudi Sabri. Frey mentioned that nearly a dozen public health notices have been issued to Sabri for issues such as drug paraphernalia, open fires, excessive debris, and lack of sanitation.

Frey added that if Sabri wishes to pursue legal action, he is free to do so, but the encampment is considered a danger to the community and must be shut down. On Tuesday morning, police completed their investigation of the scene, and the city plans to close the encampment on the landlord's private property.

Sabri, in a statement released Wednesday, said he did not create the crisis but responded by opening his property to those without shelter. He also invited the city to collaborate on real solutions, an offer he said still stands. Sabri told WCCO that if there are no other options for people, he would consider offering his property again as an encampment space.

Ongoing Violence and Community Impact

In addition to the Monday night shooting, five men were injured in a mass shooting earlier that day near East Lake Street and Stevens Avenue. One individual suffered life-threatening injuries, while three others had survivable injuries. A fifth person, who was grazed by a bullet, was found later but refused medical treatment.

O'Hara mentioned that investigators cannot rule out a connection between the two shootings, both of which are believed to involve more than one shooter. The first incident is thought to have started as a "quarrel" that escalated into gunfire, while the second is linked to a narcotics dispute.

The area has seen several incidents in recent weeks, including two prior shootings and numerous robberies. Calls to 911 have been increasing since the encampment opened.

An employee at a school near the encampment shared concerns about the impact on students, teachers, and parents, noting that they have been collecting dirty needles and drug paraphernalia around the playground for a year. Neighbor Juan Guiman expressed fear for the safety of his teenage children, describing daily scenes of drug deals and illicit activity.

According to city estimates, the encampment housed 70 to 75 people before the shooting. After the incident, the number dropped to around 30. Regulatory Services Director Enrique Velazquez noted that most individuals declined offers for shelter. Following the clearing of the encampment, residents moved a block away.