The ATF’s St. Paul division confirmed Tuesday afternoon that special agents were responding to reports of a shooting outside a school in Richfield, Minnesota.
The shooting occurred at the South Education Center where a large police presence was gathered. Officers from Hopkins, Edina, St. Louis Park, and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office were spotted at the scene.
Richfield Police Chief Jay Henthorne said during a press conference that two students were shot; one died and one is in critical condition. The suspects immediately fled the scene.
This is the current scene outside South Education Center in Richfield where police have responded from nearby cities in Hopkins, Edina, St. Louis Park, and Hennepin County Sheriff https://t.co/unvSqyY6FD pic.twitter.com/IAOcBV4tjs
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) February 1, 2022
According to Crime Watch Minneapolis, dispatch received a report of a shooting around 12:15 p.m. and three EMS rigs were ordered. The suspects were reported to be two Native American males in a beige SUV.
Four people were on a sidewalk outside of the school when the shots were fired and two people were struck, according to Crime Watch. CPR was reportedly being performed on one person at the scene.
Parents began showing up about 20 minutes after the reports were aired and a plan was being put in place to reunite parents with students, Crime Watch reports.
Suspects reported to be two Native M in a beige SUV.
The school is in the process of being cleared by law enforcement.
— CrimeWatchMpls (@CrimeWatchMpls) February 1, 2022
Independent photojournalist Rebecca Brannon was on the scene and observed belongings scattered about a snowbank outside of the school. A helicopter was circling above the scene and school buses began parking in a church parking lot across the street.
There’s a helicopter above the scene now and school buses are staging in the church parking lot across the street from the school. pic.twitter.com/L6LdSMrMOs
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) February 1, 2022
The scene is rather quiet here as more police continue to arrive on site – I’ve seen no students or evacuating. Some belongings are scattered outside on a sidewalk and blood can be seen in the snow. pic.twitter.com/iDoP8Dz2DJ
— Rebecca Brannon (@RebsBrannon) February 1, 2022
Law enforcement officers executed search warrants at two Minneapolis addresses shortly after 6 p.m. and two suspects were arrested, the Richfield Police Department announced. A handgun was also recovered and police are not looking for any additional suspects. Police did not release the names of the suspects.
Richfield Middle School posted a message to parents on its Facebook page Tuesday afternoon, saying “police and emergency medical support personnel accidentally showed up outside Richfield Middle School in response to an emergency call from the South Education Center.”
“As soon as the mistake was realized, they left for the South Education Center. The officers had weapons drawn and were in bullet-proof vests,” the school said.
Gov. Tim Walz said he was being briefed on the situation.
I’m currently being briefed on the situation unfolding in Richfield. Our Department of Public Safety is in touch with local law enforcement and we are monitoring the situation closely.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) February 1, 2022
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
