MINNEAPOLIS — Minneapolis police are investigating a deadly shooting early Thursday morning - the fifth in less than a week.
The homicide occurred shortly before midnight near the intersection of 15th Street and Portland Avenue South. Arriving officers found a man lying on the sidewalk with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite lifesaving measures, the man was declared dead on the scene.
Investigators believe the victim was shot after arguing with another person, and the suspected shooter fled the scene on foot before officers arrived.
Cameras captured the victim's family on the scene openly grieving their loss.
"This is a level of tragedy that is extremely concerning, it's unacceptable," reflected MPD spokesman Sergeant Garrett Parten. "As you can probably hear, there are families shattered every time one of these happen."
Since Friday, Minneapolis Police have responded to five separate homicides.
Police Chief Brian O’Hara said his investigation team is stretched thin but has help.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s violent crimes task force is taking on one of the five cases, which can happen when MPD has staffing limitations.
O’Hara said a few of the killings are linked to drug activity. In terms of the amount of shootings, the city is seeing a similar number as last year, but in 2024 they more often result in deaths.
“We do need to do things differently because we simply don’t have the manpower the city had before we had this level of violence, let alone now,” O’Hara said.
A man was shot dead at Portland Avenue and 15th Street Wednesday night. Police are still looking for a suspect they say ran from the scene.
Austin Telthoester is receiving recovery treatment in the area and says violent crime makes it hard on everyone.
“I’d like to see more cleanup, more individuals getting hold up to their consequences for their drug use,” said Telthoester.
O’Hara said he is hopeful about the department’s future response to violent crimes. Since the Minneapolis City Council passed the police contract, recruitment numbers have been the highest in years.
He says, however, considering the amount of resources and time it takes for recruits to be ready for patrol, it will be years before staffing levels stabilize.
“We as a community need to provide support to the families of those lost,” said Todd Barnette, the Minneapolis community safety commissioner. "We do not take this lightly. We are doing the best we can to prioritize resources where needed and work with all our partners."
Barrette said that additional officers should help with investigations. But he says it will take more than MPD to stop violent surges from happening and will take added resources from the community.
Anyone with information on the fatal shooting or the person who pulled the trigger is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), or submit a tip via the CrimeStoppers website.
MPD is also investigating a second non-fatal shooting that occurred overnight near 19th and Nicollet Ave., the same area where someone was shot and killed about 36 hours ago. In Wednesday's incident, two women were shot and arrived at the hospital separately.
At this time there is no word on their conditions.