Police are investigating after shots were fired at teenagers playing basketball outside Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, Minnesota, on Tuesday evening.
Officers were called to the church, on the 5000 block of Eden Avenue, at about 8pm on September 22. Witnesses told investigators that a group of teenagers aged between 16 and 18 were playing basketball when another group arrived in a vehicle and opened fire with handguns.
The vehicle left immediately after the shooting. Police said officers reached the scene in less than a minute and no one was injured.
Basketball players believed to have been targeted
Investigators believe the basketball players were the intended targets, rather than the church itself. Neither group involved is thought to be connected with Our Lady of Grace Church or its school.
The church said there was no damage to its property and that the incident did not appear to involve any students, staff, parishioners or visitors.
In a statement to its community, church leaders said normal school and campus activities would continue on Wednesday, with additional security support from Edina police and members of the church’s men’s club.
Police appeal for information
Detectives are working to establish descriptions of those involved, but no suspect details have been released.
Edina police are asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has surveillance footage from the area to contact investigators at EdinaPoliceTips@EdinaMN.gov.
The church said it was working with police and would review security arrangements with its safety committee, consultants and the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.
