Eden Prairie homecoming evacuated after 2 shot, scene secured: Police
Shooting at Eden Prairie homecoming game sends 2 to hospital
The Eden Prairie homecoming football game against Minnetonka had to be postponed Friday night after two people were shot outside the stadium during the game. The two victims suffered non-life threatening injuries, and no arrests have been made.
(FOX 9) - Eden Prairie officials evacuated its homecoming game on Friday following a shooting incident that left two injured.
Eden Prairie homecoming evacuation
What we know:
An emergency response was first reported around 8:40 p.m., according to the Eden Prairie Police Department.
Officials say the area around the high school was evacuated, and the Eden Prairie Police Department, Eden Prairie Fire Department and Hennepin County EMS worked immediately to keep the area secure and support reunification efforts.
Dig deeper:
The Eden Prairie Police Department says it has since secured the area.
Parents have been directed to meet with any students who were potentially present during the incident at Round Lake Park.
The area will remain blocked off to the public for the foreseeable future, according to police. Eden Prairie police say they believe the shooting was targeted. Police also said neither of the two shooting victims are students at Eden Prairie or Minnetonka.
A law enforcement source tells FOX 9 the shooting is linked to Somali gang violence.
Mayor, Police Chief react
What they're saying:
Eden Prairie Mayor Ron Case, and Police Chief Matt Sackett reacted to the incident at a news conference Friday evening.
"Any time something like this occurs, an incident like this, it’s shocking to a community like Eden Prairie," Case said.
"I recognize how frightening an incident like this can be, particularly with so man students, families and members of our community present. There are many questions we cannot answer at this time, and we will not speculate about who was involved, what led to the incident or other circumstances until that information can be confirmed. We understand that parents, students, members of our community want answers," Sackett said.
Governor Walz reacts
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a statement on social media Friday night about the shooting.
"State officials are assisting local authorities to find those responsible after a shooting outside the Eden Prairie football game. No homecoming, in any community, should be disrupted by gun violence. Minnesotans are keeping students and families in our thoughts tonight," Walz said.
Homecoming game postponed
Timeline:
Officials with the Eden Prairie football team posted to social media Friday night that the game will resume on Monday. A time has not yet been determined.
What we don't know:
Police say they are currently investigating the incident, and no one is in custody at this time.
The Source: Information provided by Eden Prairie Schools and the Eden Prairie Police Department.