Suspected AK-47 gunman critically injured after shooting in Minneapolis apartment

Minneapolis police are detailing a frightening situation that unfolded Saturday morning when a gunman allegedly entered an apartment equipped with a multitude of weapons, including an AK-47.

The incident began late Friday night when the Minneapolis Police Department received a 911 call around 10:30 p.m. about a man walking around Minnehaha Avenue with a shotgun.

Officers canvassed the area but were unable to locate the person. However, police were contacted dozens of times Saturday morning around 4:30 a.m. following reports of shots fired in the 4000 block of Minnehaha Avenue.

Police Chief Brian O’Hara said the shooter entered an apartment across the street, apparently damaging the door by shooting at it. When officers began searching the building, they found a shotgun lying “in plain sight” of an open door and heard additional gunshots inside the apartment.

Residents were evacuated from the building by law enforcement while other officers continued to search for the suspected shooter, who was found in the stairwell armed with what appeared to be an AK-47 and a .45-caliber pistol.

The suspect was also wearing what Chief O’Hara called a military-style bulletproof vest and a backpack that was later found to contain ammunition.

Chief O’Hara said one officer was able to shoot the suspect, hitting him in the jaw, allowing other officers to disarm him. The suspect was in critical but stable condition and was taken to the hospital for treatment.

He is expected to survive.

The officer who fired his weapon and those who witnessed the incident have been placed on administrative leave and the Minnesota BCA is investigating the incident.

While two homes were damaged by the gunfire, Minneapolis police said no one was injured except the suspected shooter.

“Thankfully, there are no other residents, no other community members, no other people who were injured as a result of this incident,” Chief O’Hara said. “Thank goodness no one was injured.”

O’Hara, who visited the apartment himself, described the event as “terrifying” but praised the officer’s handling of the situation.

“I can’t express how grateful I am to the men and women of the Minneapolis Police Department who responded here,” O’Hara said. “I know it took incredible courage and bravery to do exactly what they are trained to do. I am incredibly grateful for the way the officers conducted themselves here today.”

Police are currently unsure of the suspected shooter’s motive.

The incident is just the latest in a series of shootings in Minneapolis this week, which has seen at least nine separate shootings in the city.

“This has been an exhausting week for everyone in Minneapolis,” O’Hara said. “We’ve had a horrific number of shootings and murders over the last week. We were hoping our city could enjoy a break from this violence.”