Police Concerned About Retaliation After Downtown Shooting
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- Police are concerned about retaliation after a 27-year-old man was shot and killed in downtown Minneapolis.
It happened early Sunday morning inside Epic, a nightclub in the warehouse district. Authorities said about two thousand people were in there when the shooting happened. Even with metal detectors, someone got in with a gun.
"When I heard the shot it wasn't a big pop but you heard it. It sounded like a firecracker to me. I heard the shot and people started scattering everywhere," said Devonte Davis.
Authorities said the people who had been with the victim at Epic were not cooperating with police. The victim's name hasn't been released.
Police Chief Janee Harteau came out to help patrols Sunday night because the area where the shooting took place has been a concern many times after bar close. She said the Epic has been the scene of previous shootings, and that it had 92 calls for service in 2012 and 65 so far this year.
This time, she said it's time to take a look at what can be changed to curb violence.
"And I want people to know if you think you're going to come downtown and settle your disputes, it's not going to happen because we're not going to let it. We're done with that," Harteau said.
Police said they are not only worried about retaliation in downtown, but also on the north side of Minneapolis. Harteau said city officials need to review club liquor license regulations and what types of performances are allowed to try to prevent violence downtown.
She said police are reviewing security at the Epic to see if it was adequate on the night of the shooting.
