Fatal Stabbing Happened In Troubled Area Of Downtown
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) –Minneapolis police say a fight inside a parking garage led to the city's latest homicide.
It's the second in four months that happened inside a downtown parking garage.
Police responded to calls about a fight on 9th Street early Thursday morning.
When officers arrived, they found a woman who'd been stabbed in the neck. She was taken to the hospital, where she died.
A third of all police calls in downtown Minneapolis originate a block from where the city's largest homeless shelter sits.
A parking ramp close by the shelter has been the scene of two of the city's 25 homicides this year.
WCCO has learned both Thursday's victim and suspect are known by shelter staff.
The bulk of negative activity in this area of downtown happens before the sun comes up.
That was especially true Thursday morning, when a fight between two women turned deadly.
Police got a call shortly after 5 a.m., and officers went to Ramp A on reports of a fight.
"Upon arrival, officers found an adult female who had suffered serious injuries from what appears to be a stab wound," Lt. Erick Fors said.
The victim was taken to the hospital, where she died.
Officers took one woman into custody, questioned and then released her.
Investigators say she did not commit the crime, she witnessed it.
"It stemmed from an altercation that did not start at the ramp," Fors said.
Witnesses say the victim was involved in more than one altercation outside Harbor Lights early Thursday morning.
Within the span of two hours, security and police were called to stop two different fights.
The third call resulted in a murder and now the search for a suspect.
"We continue to review surveillance footage," Fors said.
Investigators believe they know who they are looking for.
They will focus on the area of downtown officers know well. Narcotics, simple assault, trespassing and other crimes happen here.
Last year, 183 arrests were made on this block alone.
"You have a bus station there, so there is a constant flow of new people coming and going, you have the shelter drawing people with a lot of various needs," Inspector Mike Kjos said.
Police believe there are lots of factors that lead to criminal activity here.
They hope an increased presence helps curb the violence.
Funding for more police presence is in place, and the hiring of an off-duty officers is in the works.
The search continues for the suspect.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or send an anonymous tip to CRIMES (274637) and begin message with: TIP674 or call the MPD tip line at 612-692-TIPS (8477).