Police: 1 dead, 7 injured in north Minneapolis shooting

Minneapolis police said Thursday that a 20-year-old man was killed and seven other people were wounded in a gang-related shooting on the city's north side.

It happened just before 9 p.m. Wednesday on the 1600 block of Newton Avenue North, several blocks from the fourth precinct police headquarters.

Deputy Chief Bruce Folkens said the shooting was the result of a longstanding disagreement between rival gangs.

"They're becoming more brazen," Folkens said. "They're becoming more violent. And they're doing this violence with more frequency. So we're going to throw everything we have with the police department and with our partners to try to get in front of these folks."

Folkens said two of the victims were in critical but stable condition as of Thursday afternoon. He said officers recovered more than four dozen shell casings at the scene and have spoken with a number of witnesses. More than 20 officers searching for evidence soon after the shooting also found two handguns, police said.

"Investigators know who these folks are," Folkens said. "Right now they're working on obtaining more evidence with the ultimate goal of holding these people accountable."

Police are not naming the victims or any suspects, but they did say the injured included four men and three women ranging in age from 20 to 27 years old.

In a statement, Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau said "the victims in the most recent incident were the intended targets, but this violence affects everyone. Numerous homes and vehicles in this area were hit by gunfire."

Folkens said officers had already increased patrols in the area in an effort to prevent shootings.

Investigators are urging anyone with more information to call 612-692-TIPS.