Minneapolis police officer killed in mass shooting, shooter also dead

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) – Four people, including a Minneapolis police officer and the suspected shooter, are dead after a mass shooting in the city on Thursday.

Officials say the shooting happened at an apartment building Thursday afternoon along Blaisdell Avenue near 22nd Street and left six people shot dead, including two police officers and four civilians.

The dead included a Minneapolis police officer, a civilian and the suspected shooter.

The suspect and a police officer exchanged gunfire, injuring the officer and killing the suspect, authorities said.

A civilian is currently in “serious” condition after being shot. A firefighter was also injured in the shooting. Law enforcement believes an innocent bystander was also shot and is in critical condition.

Authorities say the shooter and the people inside the apartment knew each other. Authorities also say they believe they know who the suspect is.

Fallen officer identified as Jamal Mitchell

During a late-night press conference, Mayor Jacob Frey identified the slain officer as Officer Jamal Mitchell.

“We will honor his sacrifice, we will remember his name, we will never forget what he did for the people of our city,” Mayor Frey said.

FOX 9 previously reported on Officer Mitchell in 2023 when, just a few days on the job, Mitchell rushed into a burning house to save an elderly couple.

Minneapolis police officer ambushed

Authorities say Officer Mitchell was responding to a 911 call about a shooting along Blaisdell Avenue Thursday afternoon when he was shot.

The initial call for a shooting at an apartment on Blaisdell Avenue. When Mitchell arrived at the scene, he found injured people and got out of his car. While attempting to provide medical assistance to victims, he was ambushed by the shooter, according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA).

A massive police response

First responders blocked off a large area around the scene of the shooting Thursday afternoon after shots were fired. FOX 9 crews witnessed a massive police response, including dozens of squads, SWAT vehicles and ambulances on Blaisdell Avenue.

As of 8:30 p.m., city officials said there was no ongoing threat to the public following the shooting, but they asked residents to avoid the area while the investigation continues. Gov. Tim Walz said the Minnesota State Patrol was helping local police deal with the situation. ATF agents are also helping to resolve the situation.

Procession for the fallen officer

Off the scene, first responders also gathered at the Hennepin County Medical Center where the two officers were transported.

Many of those law enforcement officers joined a motorcade that left the hospital shortly before 10 p.m., escorting Officer Mitchell's body to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office.

Previous Line of Duty Deaths for Minneapolis Police

Officer Mitchell's death marks the first line-of-duty death for Minneapolis police since 2002, when Officer Melissa Schmidt was killed.

Officer Schmidt was also killed on Blaisdell Avenue while responding to a report that a woman was armed with a gun at a public housing complex.

Minneapolis police chief reacts to murder

During a late-night press conference, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara addressed the shooting of Jamal Mitchell.

In addition to remembering Mitchell, an officer O'Hara himself swore into, O'Hara called for measures to protect the lives of law enforcement officers.

Watch the full press conference below.