Man Shot, Killed After Confronting Suspect in South Minneapolis

Oct 30

***Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara*** *speaks to reporters after a man was killed Thursday morning.*

A man was shot and killed early Thursday outside his South Minneapolis workplace after confronting someone believed to be attempting to steal from a vehicle.

According to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, police were called shortly before 7 a.m. to a report of a man down outside a building near East 26th Street and 32nd Avenue South.

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When they arrived, they found the victim lying in the parking lot with an apparent gunshot wound. Officers provided medical aid until fire and EMS arrived, but the man was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators believe the shooting happened about 30 minutes earlier, around 6:30 a.m., when the victim confronted a person attempting to take items from a vehicle that did not belong to him. During a brief struggle between the two, the suspect shot the victim and fled. A coworker discovered the victim roughly 20 minutes later and called 911.

Police said the victim was in his 40s and worked at the business where the shooting took place. O’Hara said the man arrived early for his shift and likely noticed someone who didn’t belong in the parking lot. The suspect has not been identified and police have not released a description.

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The chief said forensic scientists were processing evidence at the scene Thursday morning while homicide investigators reviewed surveillance footage and interviewed witnesses. He said investigators are also looking into other recent reports of thefts from vehicles in the area.

O’Hara called the killing “senseless,” saying no property is worth a life. He added that this industrial area has seen theft problems before, especially overnight and in the early morning hours.

“There’s no property worth someone’s life,” O’Hara said. “This is absolutely senseless and tragic for someone to lose their life over an attempted petty theft.”

Authorities are urging anyone with information about the shooting or recent thefts from vehicles in the area to contact Minneapolis police.

The victim’s name has not yet been released.

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