In the early hours of Monday, April 28, 2025, the wail of sirens pierced the quiet of South Minneapolis as a mass shooting claimed three lives and left two others clinging to survival. The tragedy unfolded near the intersection of Bloomington Avenue South and East 25th Street, a corner now marked by grief in the city’s Ward 9, represented by Council Member Jason Chavez. For the families of the victims, the night brought an unimaginable loss, and for the community, it shattered a fragile sense of peace that had settled over Minneapolis after years of struggle with violent crime.
Minneapolis police and emergency medical services rushed to the scene at approximately 12:10 a.m. after reports of gunfire. They arrived at a harrowing sight: five individuals struck by bullets, their lives forever altered in a matter of moments. Three victims—two men and one woman—were pronounced dead at the scene, their identities withheld as authorities worked to notify their families. Two others were rushed to a local trauma center, their conditions dire. A 24-year-old woman, shot in the face, remained conscious with stable vital signs despite the severity of her injury. A 30-year-old man, shot in the head, was in critical condition, his breathing labored and irregular, a sign of the body’s desperate fight to survive.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, speaking at a somber press conference in the pre-dawn hours, described the incident as a “senseless tragedy” that struck at the heart of the community. Preliminary investigations point to a targeted attack, with early evidence suggesting possible ties to gang activity. Some victims were found inside a vehicle, while one man lay on the sidewalk, a stark image of the violence that erupted. As officers secured the area, they heard additional gunshots nearby, a chilling reminder of the ongoing threat. Though no further victims were found, police recovered physical evidence of gunfire at the secondary location, underscoring the chaotic nature of the night.
The shooting comes at a time when Minneapolis had been experiencing a significant decline in gun violence. Homicides in the city were down by 67% compared to previous years, a statistic that offered hope to residents and officials alike. Chief O’Hara noted that this period of relative calm, the likes of which had not been seen in at least five years, made the violence all the more jarring. “The city is grieving,” he said, his voice heavy with the weight of the moment. “There are families suffering tonight, grieving.” He spoke of the emotional toll on first responders, who witnessed family members’ anguish as they arrived at the scene. “That’s always difficult—any time there is one victim, let alone multiple,” he added.
The Minneapolis Police Department, alongside other local agencies, has launched a comprehensive investigation. The crime scene remains active, with forensic teams meticulously collecting what authorities describe as an extensive amount of evidence. While no arrests have been made, the police are urging anyone with information to come forward, either directly or anonymously through CrimeStoppers. The call for community assistance reflects the urgency of preventing further violence in an area that has faced its share of challenges.
This tragedy adds to a troubling national pattern. Across the United States, gun violence continues to claim lives at an alarming rate, with thousands of shootings reported annually. Minneapolis, like many cities, has grappled with balancing public safety and community trust in the wake of high-profile incidents. The loss of three lives in this shooting and the critical injuries to two others serve as a stark reminder of the work that remains.
For now, the focus remains on the victims and their families. The names of those lost have not been released, but their absence will be felt deeply by those who knew them. As the investigation continues, the people of Minneapolis are left to mourn, to support one another, and to hope for answers that might bring some measure of closure to a community shaken by violence.
