One dead and multiple injured in shooting incident at Boom Island Park in Minnesota.
A mass shooting in Minneapolis’s Boom Island Park late Sunday resulted in the tragic death of a 23-year-old woman and left five men injured. The incident turned the park, known for its scenic views along the Mississippi River, into a chaotic scene resembling a war zone, according to local officials.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has identified the deceased as Stageina Katraya Shapryia Whiting, who resided in Brooklyn Center. She suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the torso during an altercation that erupted amidst a large gathering at the park.
Authorities noted that there were indications of multiple shooters involved in the incident, as evidenced by the significant number of shell casings found at the scene. Approximately 100 individuals were present when gunfire erupted around 9:30 p.m. Local police responded promptly after receiving numerous calls reporting the violence. In the aftermath, reports emerged that another woman was hospitalized after being knocked unconscious due to the pandemonium that ensued.
Minnesota Police Chief Brian O’Hara described the scene to reporters, emphasizing the alarming quantity of evidence left behind, which included hundreds of shell casings scattered throughout the park. He labeled the extreme level of violence displayed during this incident as “sickening” and called for public collaboration to aid the investigation, stating that it is imperative to bring those responsible to justice.
In a statement, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey condemned the violence as “completely unacceptable.” He highlighted that just days before the shooting, the city had initiated “Operation Safe Summer,” a new initiative aimed at reducing crime and ensuring public safety. Statistics from the city revealed that over three dozen law enforcement units responded to the incident.
Following the shooting, concerns have been raised about safety in the park, prompting at least one city council member to propose that Boom Island Park should close its gates by 8 p.m. This event underscores the ongoing challenges of gun violence in the community and the urgent need for solutions to prevent such tragedies in the future.
As the investigation continues with no arrests made at this point, residents and officials alike await further developments in this heartbreaking situation.
