Minneapolis Police are looking for suspects after five people were shot near the Metro Transit station at Lake Street and 35W late Monday morning.
Police Chief Brian O'Hara says one of the victims has life-threatening injuries. He says the area where the shooting occurred has been a hotspot for drugs and violence.
"It's been a concentration of reports that we've had with persons with a gun, you know, robbery reports, and just other issues. We've had a number of shootings in the last 28 days, not far from where we are."
The motive for the shooting is not known.
O'Hara says he plans to ask Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to shut down part of a walkway near the transit station where dozens of people congregate at all hours of the day, and has been a spot of concern for police.
"This walkway has been terrible, as I'm sure anyone who lives down here has been through here can tell you," O'Hara explains. "It's a whole lot of people congregating that are using drugs, it's all kinds of garbage and debris, and then we believe that this disorder is contributing to other problems that the community has been experiencing."
Mayor Jacob Frey released a statement Monday afternoon saying he has been in close contact with O’Hara and has directed City staff to work with MnDOT to fence off the area as soon as possible, calling it "a necessary and immediate step."
“This neighborhood has endured far too much violence, and what happened today is unacceptable,” said Mayor Frey. “We are taking immediate steps to secure the area and crack down on the dealers and violent offenders who are exploiting it. At the same time, we will continue to provide pathways for people battling addiction to get the help they need. Our residents deserve safety, accountability, and action – and I appreciate our partners at the State for working alongside us to make this happen.”