According to local media citing law enforcement sources, several individuals were injured in a shooting incident that resulted in the deaths of up to four people, including a police officer and a suspect, in Minneapolis, Minnesota state on Thursday.
The Minneapolis Police Department confirmed that security forces are currently dealing with an ongoing incident, with six individuals reported injured, two of whom are law enforcement officers.
The police department stated that the situation remains fluid, urging the public to avoid a specific area in the densely populated Whittier neighborhood in south-central Minnesota.
This area includes prominent institutions such as the Minneapolis Institute of Art and the Minneapolis College of Art and Design.
No further official details were immediately available about the incident.
The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported that a 28-year-old police officer was killed and another was in critical condition after an exchange of gunfire with the suspect.
According to the newspaper, this marks the first time in over 20 years that a Minneapolis police officer has been fatally shot while on duty.
Minneapolis, like many cities in the United States, has grappled with issues related to gun violence and police-community relations.
The city gained international attention following the killing of George Floyd, an African American man, by a police officer in May 2020. Floyd’s death sparked widespread protests and renewed conversations about systemic racism and police brutality.
