Key Takeaways
- An active police standoff is underway in south Minneapolis near West 28th Street and Nicollet Avenue (Eat Street area).
- The situation began when Hennepin County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to serve a Minnesota Department of Corrections warrant related to illegal gun and ammunition possession.
- Deputies came under gunfire during the warrant service, leading to a hostage situation where a suspect held a woman and child.
- The woman and child hostages have been safely released and are reported to be unharmed.
- The suspect remains barricaded inside an evacuated apartment building; no injuries to law enforcement or civilians have been confirmed.
- Multiple agencies are on scene, including the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Minneapolis Police, FBI, and ATF, with roads closed and the public advised to avoid the area.
- This is a developing breaking news story with updates expected.
The incident unfolded Tuesday afternoon in south Minneapolis, triggering a significant law enforcement response. Chopper 5 aerial footage confirmed a heavy police presence concentrated near the intersection of West 28th Street and Nicollet Avenue, an area commonly associated with Eat Street. Authorities swiftly established a perimeter, closing nearby roads and urging the public to avoid the vicinity entirely due to the active and volatile nature of the situation. The scale of the response immediately signaled the seriousness of the unfolding events, prompting the deployment of numerous local and specialized units.
The standoff originated earlier in the day when deputies from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office were engaged in serving an arrest warrant. According to sources cited by 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, this warrant was issued by the Minnesota Department of Corrections (DOC) and specifically concerned allegations of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. During the execution of this warrant, the situation escalated violently when the individual named in the warrant opened fire on the approaching deputies. This gunfire marked the critical turning point that transformed a routine warrant service into an active armed confrontation.
Critically, sources also indicated that at the moment the suspect began firing, he was holding a woman and a child hostage inside the location. This development immediately heightened the urgency and complexity of the response, shifting priorities to include hostage negotiation and rescue efforts alongside containing the threat. Fortunately, law enforcement successfully secured the release of both hostages. Authorities have confirmed that the woman and child are now safe and have not suffered any injuries, representing a positive outcome amidst the dangerous circumstances.
Following the hostage release, the suspect retreated and remains barricaded inside an apartment building within the established perimeter. As a precautionary measure, authorities have ordered the full evacuation of the apartment building to ensure the safety of any remaining residents and to facilitate police operations. The scene now involves a substantial coordinated effort, with additional deputies from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and officers from the Minneapolis Police Department supplementing the initial responders. Critically, federal resources have also been mobilized; the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have confirmed their arrival on scene, bringing specialized expertise to the ongoing negotiation and tactical situation.
As of the latest reports, no injuries have been sustained by any law enforcement personnel, civilians, or the hostages during the incident. The suspect continues to refuse to surrender and remains confined within the evacuated building. Law enforcement agencies maintain an active perimeter, continue negotiation attempts, and prepare for potential tactical resolutions while prioritizing the safety of everyone involved and nearby residents. Officials emphasize that details are still being verified and confirmed, stressing that this remains a fluid and breaking news situation. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, in partnership with KSTP, is actively working to gather and verify further information as it develops. The public is strongly advised to stay away from the area, monitor official channels for updates, and utilize resources like the KSTP app and KSTP-TV’s social media feeds for the latest confirmed details on this evolving standoff. (Word Count: 598)