Stillwater police fatally shoot gunman who opened fire at apartment complex
STILLWATER, Minn. – Stillwater police say officers fatally shot a gunman who fired "many" rounds in and outside an apartment complex Saturday afternoon.
Stillwater Police Chief Brian Mueller says officers were initially called to the Curve Crest Villas on the 2200 block of West Orleans Street at about 2:30 p.m. for an unknown medical emergency, but then numerous calls poured in reporting shots fired at the complex.
"Prior to our arrival, the suspect shot many, many rounds inside and outside of the location. He actually hurt several individuals prior to our arrival, and we later learned that the individual had several extended magazines to be utilized in a handgun," Mueller said.
He says officers were met with gunfire when they arrived at the complex's parking lot. They returned fired, striking the gunman, who later died at Regions Hospital in St. Paul.
Two to three other people were hurt by the gunman before he was shot, Mueller said, and the extent of their injuries is unclear.
Mueller says it's not known at this point how many officers opened fire. No members of law enforcement were hurt, but at least two squad cars sustained bullet damage.
Stillwater Fire Chief Stuart Glaser says gunfire also struck a gas line. The building was cleared while Xcel Energy workers repaired the damage.
Mueller says the motive of the gunman is unclear, and he believes this was an isolated incident.
While speaking to the media, Mueller became emotional when considering the number of families that live in the complex, which is adjacent to several youth rec facilities that were "at capacity" at the time of the shooting.
"I'm a parent, I'm a resident, and it's very scary," Mueller said. "I'm scared for what my officers faced, I'm scared for what the residents faced. I'm proud of how they responded, but it definitely hits home."
Angela Schoenthaler, who lives on the complex's third floor, says the sound of gunfire woke her up from a nap around 2:30 p.m.
"I came out to my balcony and was looking to see what was going on," Schoenthaler said.
That's when she says she made eye contact with a man holding a gun in the parking lot.
"The guy, I don't even know how old he is, came around the corner of our apartment buildings, looked at me, looked at the cop, and started shooting at the cop," she said. "And then I went and got my kids away from the windows, down, and then I came back and the cops had him down."
She says deputies went door to door to make sure residents were OK.
"My son went and gave the lady sheriff a big hug and said 'Thanks for keeping us safe,'" she said.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the investigation.
Imran Ali, general counsel of the Minnesota Police and Peace Officers Association, released this statement about the fatal shooting Saturday evening:
Preliminary information reveals law enforcement officers responded to calls for help and were immediately met with gunfire becoming an active shooter scene where multiple victims were injured, a gas line was broken - all while children and more were in the vicinity.
This, once again, illustrates the grave danger posed to law enforcement, communities, and the decisions that must be made, in a split second, to preserve life.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the responding officers and deputies for responding in the face of danger and putting their lives on the line. Their actions remind us of all the officers statewide who help victims of crime and keep the public safe every day.