Police Shoot Armed Man in Minneapolis Apartment Standoff

Sep 7

Minneapolis police say a 40-year-old man is in custody after an active shooter situation unfolded early Saturday morning.

It forced the evacuation of residents from an apartment building in the city’s Longfellow neighborhood.

Officers responded to multiple 911 calls starting at approximately 10:50 p.m. Friday, reporting a man walking around with a shotgun near the 4000 block of Minnehaha Ave. A search of the area was conducted, but police were initially unable to locate the armed man.

At about 4:30 a.m. Saturday, additional 911 calls reported multiple gunshots near the same area. Residents inside the apartment building at 4052 Minnehaha Ave. said they heard shots inside, knocks on their doors, and the sound of glass breaking. When officers arrived, they found bullet holes in the front door and shell casings on the floor. Inside the building, they discovered an open apartment door with a shotgun on the floor.

Police say additional shots were heard from the north side of the building, prompting officers to evacuate residents. The shooter, armed with an AK-47 style rifle, was firing periodically from a stairwell. Officers contained the shooter while continuing evacuations and called in SWAT and negotiation teams.

At approximately 5:33 a.m., an officer discharged their rifle, striking the shooter in the jaw area. Police disarmed the man of the rifle and a .45-caliber handgun, then provided medical aid. The shooter, who lives in the building, was taken to Hennepin Healthcare with a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound. He remains in custody at the hospital, where his condition has been stabilized. He has not yet been officially identified.

Chief Brian O’Hara praised the response, calling the situation "incredibly unpredictable and terrifying." He added, "I can't say how thankful I am for the men and women of the Minneapolis Police and other officers that responded here... Thank God, no one else was hurt."

No other injuries were reported. Officers later found a backpack in the stairwell containing extra ammunition and loaded magazines. The shooter was also wearing a non-ballistic, military-style flak vest.

Residents were temporarily evacuated and sheltered on an MTC bus brought to the scene.

The Minneapolis Police Bomb Squad cleared the area and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is conducting an independent investigation, per O’Hara's request. Further details are expected soon.

> See more of our latest coverage