MINNEAPOLIS — A 40-year-old man is in the hospital in police custody after opening fire in a Minneapolis apartment building early on Saturday morning.
Minneapolis police said the incident started on Friday night around 10:50 when multiple 911 callers reported a man walking around with a shotgun near the 4000 block of Minnehaha Avenue. Officers searched the area but didn't find the armed man, according to a press release.
"It's just kind of scary to know that somebody was actively walking around with armed weapons and guns," said Katina Sullivan, who lives nearby.
Hours later, around 4:30 on Saturday morning, 911 callers reported hearing multiple shots in that area. Some of the reports came from an apartment building at 4052 Minnehaha Avenue. Callers said they could hear shots in the building, knocks on their doors and breaking glass.
When officers arrived they said they saw bullet holes in the front door of the apartment building and shell casings on the floor.
Police found an open apartment door and saw a shotgun on the floor. They heard more shots from the north end of the apartment building, police said.
Officers started evacuating residents.
Police were able to contain the shooter to a north stairwell while they worked to clear the building of residents, while officials said the shooter periodically fired rounds from an AK-47-style rifle.
Around 5:30 a.m., police said an officer fired their rifle and hit the shooter. Then police were able to enter the stairway, take the AK-47-style rifle and a 45-caliber handgun, remove the man from the building and treat his injury.
The suspect, a 40-year-old man, was taken to Hennepin Healthcare with a potentially life-threatening gunshot wound. As of Saturday, the man was in custody at the hospital where police described his condition as "stable." Chief O'Hara said the suspect is expected to live.
“This was an incredibly unpredictable, terrifying and rapidly evolving situation,” said O’Hara. “I can't say how thankful I am for the men and women of the Minneapolis Police and other officers that responded here. I know it must have taken incredible courage and valor to do exactly what they're trained to do. Thank God, no one else was hurt.”
No other injuries were reported. A Metro Transit bus was used to evacuate the other apartment residents.
The Minneapolis Police Bomb Squad responded to check out and clear a backpack the man had with him in the stairwell that contained extra ammunition and loaded magazines. Police said the man was wearing a non-ballistic, military-style flak vest during the incident.
"I was talking to a neighbor and they told me they heard gunshots," said Shawn Hemingson, who lives in the area. "I heard it too."
Hemingson said he is frustrated individuals have easy access to such deadly weapons.
"We need some actual gun reform," he said. "I am a gun owner, but I'm responsible. It wouldn't affect me at all if there were stricter policies."
Chief O'Hara requested the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCA) investigate the incident. O'Hara said that the officer who fired their gun and the officers who witnessed the officer-involved-shooting have been put on administrative leave as per protocol.