Minneapolis Police Investigating 2 Fatal Shootings Hours Apart

Sep 14

Minneapolis police are investigating two separate shootings that left a man and a woman dead and another man injured early Sunday morning.

The first shooting happened just before 2 a.m. when officers were sent to a ShotSpotter alert in the 1500 block of East Lake Street.

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While they were on the way, the call was updated to a report of a shooting. Officers found a man suffering from life-threatening gunshot wounds and provided aid until paramedics arrived. He was taken to the hospital, where he later died. Police later learned that another man had arrived at the hospital with apparent non-life-threatening gunshot wounds. Investigators believe he was injured in the same shooting. Detectives are still working to determine the sequence of events.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office identified the victim as 30-year-old Jamal Brandan Smith. The cause of death was a gunshot wound of the right thigh, and the manner of death was ruled a homicide.

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The second shooting took place shortly before 8 a.m. in the 1400 block of Russell Avenue North. Fourth Precinct officers arrived to find a woman gravely injured from gunfire. Officers performed CPR and provided aid, but she died at the scene. Police say initial information suggests the shooting may have been domestic in nature. The suspected shooter fled before officers arrived and has not been arrested.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the violence underscores an ongoing problem in the city:

“In recent weeks, our city has seen far too much senseless violence in a short period of time,” O’Hara said in a statement. “The Minneapolis Police Department will continue to work urgently to hold those responsible accountable, but we cannot do that alone. I urge anyone who knows something about these heinous acts to come forward and help us stop the violence.”

Forensic scientists processed both scenes Sunday and no arrests have been made in either case. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Minneapolis Police Department or CrimeStoppers.

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