South Minneapolis community shaken after shooting that left police officer dead and several others injured

A south Minneapolis neighborhood is in mourning following a shooting on Thursday that left three people, including a Minneapolis police officer, dead and scores more injured.

Police said they responded to a report of a shooting that occurred around 5:30 p.m. Thursday on Blaisdell Avenue near 22nd Street in the Whittier neighborhood.

Two officers were hit and taken to the hospital, but one of them, 36-year-old Jamal Mitchell, died.

Officials say at least four other people were injured, including the other officer, a firefighter and a bystander. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension says the other officer was treated and released from the hospital.

“I wanted to create a larger memorial for this police officer who was killed,” said Jonathan Mason, who laid flowers near the crime scene on Friday.

Two people who spoke to 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS said it started in their apartment building.

“I saw people running, but I didn’t know it was coming from my building,” said Ronald Francisco, a resident of the neighborhood. “I think it was a robbery gone wrong, and I heard they may have chased him down the street.”

“I was listening to some arguments and then all of a sudden I heard ‘pop, pop, pop,'” said Trisilee Carlisle of Minneapolis.

According to BCA, after police arrived on scene, Officer Mitchell found several injured people and attempted to help them, but was attacked.

“What I can tell you is that Officer Mitchell was trying to assist the person who shot him,” said BCA Superintendent Drew Evans.

Police returned fire on the suspected shooter, who was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.

“I think it’s hard for all of us to process what happened. It’s really unfortunate,” said Riley Heflin, who lives near the scene of the accident.

Heflin was watching everything a few doors down.

“I peeked out my sliding glass door just to see them picking up a victim who had apparently been shot in the head, and I asked if it was an active situation, and they said, ‘Lock your doors. Stay inside. It’s an active situation,'” Heflin said.

In the apartment building where witnesses say the incident began, the doors have been boarded up after police began securing the crime scene.

“After that, I felt kind of traumatized myself,” said Francisco.

Now the neighborhood is mourning not only Officer Mitchell, but also the other dead and injured.

“I think all we can do is come together and pay respect to those who lost their lives and the many people who were also affected,” Heflin said.

The BCA is leading this investigation.

“We are working diligently to understand exactly what happened and ask for everyone’s patience while we conduct the preliminary investigation,” a BCA spokesperson said. “…We understand that this incident is extremely upsetting to the community. There is no evidence of an ongoing threat to public safety and again ask for patience while we investigate this difficult incident.”