Shooting on downtown Minneapolis' Nicollet Mall injures 4, shatters several windows
MINNEAPOLIS — Four people were hospitalized and several businesses sustained damage after a shooting late Wednesday night on Nicollet Mall in downtown Minneapolis.
Police say multiple 911 callers reported a man beating up a woman just before shots rang out at about 11:15 p.m. on the mall near Sixth Street South.
Officers a few blocks south on the mall heard gunfire and rushed to the area, police say, discovering several bullet casings scattered on the mall between Fifth and Seventh streets. Several windows in the area were also shot out, including on a skyway above.
Police say three people soon approached officers and a Hennepin County deputy near Seventh Street to report being injured. All three said they were on Sixth Street and heard fighting before the shooting began.
The man suffered a gunshot wound and is expected to survive. A woman suffered graze wounds and a teenage girl had lacerations from glass shards. All three were taken to Hennepin Healthcare.
About two hours later, police say an injured woman arrived at the hospital and said she too had been shot near Seventh Street.
Police say the investigation is ongoing, and no arrests have been made.
"This is sad because it's a great environment, but unfortunately, we do have those that don't want to do the right thing," said Minneapolis resident Rick Ross.
The violence interrupted a summer filled with successful events in downtown.
"Last night's event feels like such a setback for me, for our organization, I'm sure for the police, the city as a whole," said Minneapolis Downtown Council President and CEO Adam Duininck.
Duininck said the organization is working on ways to respond and increase safety in downtown. One idea they are exploring is to adjust the hours of the Nicollet Mall Security Guards. Currently, it's a pilot program. Two guards work from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Downtown shootings have dipped slightly from this time last summer. However, the past month saw a bit of an uptick, according to crime data from Minneapolis Police.
Last week, three other people were injured in a shooting nearby off Fifth Street and Hennepin Avenue. Police say a crowd started fighting at about 2 a.m. before shots were fired. Two men and a woman were shot, with both men suffering life-threatening injuries. The woman is expected to survive.
"Me personally, I feel overall it's safe," Ross said.
Tourist Kent Dunlap said he was pleased with his visit to downtown Minneapolis so far.
"You guys do a great job with parks and things like that I think you have a lot to offer. I've been really impressed. It's a great atmosphere," he said.
