Following a Difficult Weekend, Here’s What We’re Doing
The past few days have been incredibly difficult for Minneapolis. Several serious acts of gun violence have left families hurting and shaken people’s sense of safety.
Mayor Jacob Frey called the violence “intolerable.” His message was straightforward: those responsible will be found, arrested, and held accountable.
“This is a stark reminder that keeping our streets safe requires every tool available,” the Mayor said. “We need strong partnerships so the people responsible are arrested and prosecuted. We need to keep hiring more police officers to investigate and prevent violent crime. And we need to embrace proven technology—from drones to ShotSpotter—that helps officers do their jobs more effectively.”
Working Together to Hold Violent Offenders Accountable
No one agency can tackle violent crime alone. An arrest alone is not enough without prosecution and accountability. That’s why the Minneapolis Police Department is working alongside the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office, the United States Attorney’s Office, and state and federal law enforcement partners to investigate these shootings and pursue every lead.
When the facts support federal charges, we’ll work with our federal partners to pursue them. The goal is simple: hold violent offenders accountable using every lawful tool available.
This Work Didn’t Start This Weekend
The shooting near East 19th Street and Nicollet Avenue happened in an area where officers have been focused for months, targeting open-air drug trafficking, illegal narcotics activity, and the violent crime that often follows.
Those efforts are making a difference. Earlier this month, federal prosecutors charged two dozen defendants following a months-long investigation into an alleged drug trafficking organization operating in South Minneapolis. According to investigators, the organization distributed large quantities of fentanyl and cocaine throughout Minneapolis and the Twin Cities.
Officers have also maintained proactive patrols through MPD’s Risk-based Analysis for Proactive Patrol, Intervention, and Deterrence (RAPPID) Zones, keeping a visible police presence in areas identified through crime data. The East 19th Street and Nicollet Avenue corridor has also been part of Operation Safe Summer 5 and is now receiving additional attention through a reallocation of Uptown Beat resources.
Just last week, targeted enforcement efforts resulted in 15 arrests and 13 citations in a single day. Officers continue using mobile and fixed public safety cameras, working with the City Attorney’s Office to secure court-ordered geographic restrictions for repeat offenders, and partnering with community organizations to address the issues contributing to crime.
Keeping illegal guns off our streets remains a priority. Between July 1 and July 19, Minneapolis officers recovered 49 illegal firearms, including several from convicted felons who were prohibited from possessing them.
What We’re Doing Now
Following Sunday’s shootings, MPD is increasing its response.
The department is reassessing deployments across areas experiencing elevated violence and putting more officers where crime data shows they’re needed most.
In Uptown, the City is strengthening its Late Night Safety Plan by increasing patrols during peak hours, adjusting traffic patterns to improve public safety, and continuing weekend Chief’s Beat deployments to deter violent crime and improve response times.
Around East 19th Street and Nicollet Avenue, additional dedicated officers will maintain a visible presence day and night, building on the enforcement and community engagement already underway.
Our Commitment
The overwhelming majority of people in Minneapolis want the same thing: safe neighborhoods where families can walk, work, gather, and enjoy their community.
A relatively small number of people continue to drive a disproportionate share of violent crime. We are committed to finding them, holding them accountable, and continuing to work alongside our county, state, and federal partners to prevent them from harming our communities again.
How You Can Help
If you have information related to these shootings—or any violent crime—please contact the Minneapolis Police Department or submit an anonymous tip through CrimeStoppers. Even one piece of information can help investigators move a case forward.
We’ll keep doing the work, every day, to make Minneapolis safer.
