MINNEAPOLIS — The Whittier neighborhood in South Minneapolis looks much different Friday than Thursday evening. Residents are free to come and go from their apartment buildings. Police tape is gone, although law enforcement still walks the sidewalks, stopping at different residences to ask questions and look through video.
An apartment near the 2200 block of Blaisdell Avenue is where police say the shooting started, which ended in the deaths of multiple people including MPD officer Jamal Mitchell.
The building was open to residents, but not everyone could access their units. They were evacuated when gunfire began Thursday evening, and returned hours later to find their doors were kicked in during the chaos.
“I live in this apartment and they kicked my door open,” said Ronald Francisco, who invited crews inside.
Francisco pointed out to a boarded-up unit across from his door.
“They said it started in that apartment,” he explained.
“It was happening and we were in the building,” recalled Ken Lorence. "And then we left and then they wouldn't let us back in. And then we come back when we do get back and our doors are kicked in.”
Lorence said he is doing okay, and says, unfortunately he is used to the sound of gunfire.
“I thought it was fireworks at first until it got really serious,” he said. “It got louder and then I seen them drag a guy, police picked up a guy and brought him in. There must have been someone who got shot.”
Maintenance workers were in the hallways Friday morning in an attempt to get residents back inside. Outside, law enforcement continued their investigation, canvassing the neighborhood, as makeshift memorials pop up throughout the neighborhood.
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