Police officer among 2 killed in Minneapolis shooting; suspect also dead
MINNEAPOLIS — Two people were killed, including a police officer, in a shooting Thursday evening in Minneapolis, according to city officials. The suspect is also dead.
A second police officer was also wounded but has been released from the hospital, and a firefighter also suffered non-life-threatening injuries. Police say two civilians were also hurt, one gravely and one critically. Their identities, and the identity of the suspect, have not been released.
In a press conference on Thursday evening, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey identified 36-year-old Jamal Mitchell as the officer killed in the shooting.
"We will honor his sacrifice. We will remember his name. We will never forget what he did for the people of our city. The lives he protected, the lives he saved," Frey said.
Details of the shooting
According to a news release from the city of Minneapolis, the incident started around 5:15 p.m., when when officers responded to a shots fired call at an apartment complex in the 2200 block of Blaisdell Avenue South, in the Whittier neighborhood.
Mitchell responded to the scene and was trying to help someone when he was "ambushed," Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension officials say. The person he was trying to help shot Mitchell.
Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect. Mitchell and another officer were injured in the gunfight, as well as the suspect, MPD said. The suspect received life-saving efforts and died at the scene. Mitchell and the officer were taken to the hospital, where Mitchell died.
Upon searching the building, officers found two civilians who had been shot; police say they may have been residents. One of the civilians was dead at the scene, and another was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries.
Outside the apartment, a man was found shot inside his car. He was taken to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. A firefighter was also injured and taken to the hospital, though they have since been released. The other Minneapolis police officer was released from the hospital.
The BCA said two Minneapolis police officers discharged their firearms during the shooting.
Incident leading up to the shooting
WCCO has learned that on Thursday, the suspected gunman was seen striking a person on a scooter. A driver saw the altercation and hit the suspect while trying to drive away from the danger.
The driver then heard gun shots, and called police when he got to safety.
Witness describes the chaos
Reuben Molina lives near the scene and said he heard gunshots ring out when the incident unfolded.
"Me and my girlfriend, we heard really loud banging at first," Molina said. "Then we heard it again and again and again in rapid succession. And me and her were like, 'Oh that's gunshots.'"
Molina said he overheard a female voice calling 911.
"(She said) 'My boyfriend's been shot, his friend has been shot in the bathroom. Both been shot in the head,'" he said. "I'm surprised it hasn't happened sooner, honestly. It's just that bad over here."
Another neighbor, Ken Lorence, told WCCO's Jonah Kaplan, "I thought it was fireworks at first but then it got really serious. It got louder and I saw them drag a guy. Police picked up a guy and it must've been someone who got shot."
Other neighbors WCCO spoke to said this is something that is going to stay with them for a long time.
Civilian killed in mass shooting identified
The civilian who was shot and killed in a mass shooting in Minneapolis on Thursday evening was identified as Osman Said Jimale.
Jimale, 32, died of multiple gunshot wounds, the Hennepin County Medical Examiner said Friday. He was killed inside an apartment complex on the 2200 block of Blaisdell Avenue South. Another person was injured inside the apartment, police said.
Remembering Officer Mitchell
Minneapolis Police Chief O'Hara said Mitchell was "a father, son, (fiancé), friend, and a member of MPD since 2022."
"I had the distinct honor of swearing in Jamal as a Minneapolis police officer," O'Hara said.
Mitchell received recognition for his work in February 2023 after rescuing an elderly couple from a burning home. Bodycam video shows him helping the couple out their front door.
The story gained nationwide attention and was included in CNN's "Beyond The Call Of Duty" series.
O'Hara said Mitchell was just three days on the job when he made that rescue. At the time, O'Hara called Mitchell and his partner "truly heroic," saying the officers put their lives on the line despite the danger.
"He died a hero, and like the police officers standing here with me, and like cops everywhere, he was one of the few who had the courage to stand up and answer the call every day. He died doing what we asked him to do, on behalf of others," O'Hara said.
Katie Blackwell, assistant chief of operations for the Minneapolis Police Department, said Mitchell "was exceptional in every way."
"He was courageous in every action that he did," Blackwell said. "He was a wonderful human being."
Police across Minnesota honor Mitchell
Shortly after his death was announced, law enforcement from across Minnesota honored the fallen officer. A procession began at Hennepin Healthcare in downtown Minneapolis.
Dozens of cars lined up for hours to escort Mitchell to the medical examiner's office. Others gathered along the route to show their support.
People across the Twin Cities are also showing their support by putting up blue lights to signify that they stand with police.
State leaders address the tragedy
In a press conference late Thursday evening, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz highlighted how frequent attacks on law enforcement have become in the state.
"This is one of those instances you'd think is unthinkable, but it's very thinkable because its happened four times in the last few months, where we've had public safety officers responding to the call people make to 911, rushing into that situation. And in this case, being ambushed and a loss of life for Officer Mitchell," Walz said. "That trauma quickly should turn to anger. And a commitment that this cannot happen. We do not have to live this way. We have got to commit together to do all we can."
Officers with the St. Paul Police Department were helping with patrols in Minneapolis on Thursday night, according to St. Paul Mayor Melvin Carter.
"We are deeply saddened by the tragic shooting in Minneapolis tonight," Carter said. "We are praying for our colleagues and the entire Minneapolis community."
A flood of responses from Minnesota leaders and agencies have been issued following the mass shooting that killed one Minneapolis police officer and two others.
"Once again, a police officer bravely faced danger and tragically lost his life protecting the community," Minneapolis Police and Peace Officers Association executive director Brian Peters said in a statement.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident.
Mitchell is the third Minnesota police officer killed this year. Burnsville officers Paul Elmstrand and Matthew Ruge, and city firefighter Adam Finseth, were murdered during a standoff in February.
According to the Officer Down Memorial Page, 60 police officers have been killed across the country this year.
A memorial fund has been set up for Mitchell's family. To donate, click here.