Police are investigating after teenagers playing basketball outside Our Lady of Grace Church in Edina, Minnesota, came under gunfire from a passing vehicle. No one was injured, but officers say the group on the court appears to have been the intended target rather than the church itself.
The shooting happened at about 8pm on Tuesday, 22 September, at the church on Eden Avenue. Witnesses told investigators that a second group of young people arrived in a vehicle and fired handguns at the basketball players before immediately leaving.
Edina police said officers reached the scene in less than a minute. The teenagers involved were aged between 16 and 18, and neither group appeared to have any connection with the church or its school.
Police seek information after Edina church shooting
Detectives are working to develop descriptions of those responsible and are asking anyone with video or information about the shooting to come forward.
Police Chief Todd Milburn said the incident had left residents “frustrated, angry and frankly afraid”. He added: “We want answers. We want to identify the people responsible, and we want to prevent this from happening again.”
The shooting is the second recent incident involving gunfire at a community gathering place in Edina. In July, shots were fired during a large gathering at Yancey Park. No one was injured, although a nearby house was struck by gunfire, police said.
Chief Milburn said the latest incident formed part of a wider concern involving Somali teenagers and young adults, who he said had either been targeted in shootings or had some level of responsibility for them. The identities and motives of those involved in the church shooting remain unknown.
Extra patrols and cameras planned
Edina police are increasing patrols, deploying mobile cameras and assigning a detective to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s Violent Crime Reduction Unit. The detective will work with about 30 other officers on the cases and similar investigations across the region.
Police are also liaising with staff at Our Lady of Grace Church, Somali community leaders, families and youth organisations as they seek to prevent further violence.
“There is no single solution to this problem,” Chief Milburn said. “What I can tell you is we are taking these incidents seriously.”
Anyone who witnessed the shooting or has video or other information is asked to contact Edina police on 952-826-1600 or by email at EdinaPoliceTips@EdinaMN.gov.
