UPDATED: Shots Fired at Burnsville's Red Oak Park: Five Injured, Public Asked To Come Forward with Any Information
UPDATE - 5 PM on Saturday, August 31, 2024: The Burnsville Police Department has released another update regarding the shooting that occurred at Red Oak Park in Burnsville, Minnesota. In this latest update, the Burnsville Police Department has once again confirmed upon arriving at the scene of the shooting, police found four individuals with injuries. Three were transported to local hospitals, while one was treated at the scene and released. A fifth individual also sought medical attention at a hospital via private transportation. The conditions of the injured have not yet been released.
Following the shooting, Officers secured the area and initiated a search for suspects, some of whom reportedly fled into the park’s wooded areas. Multiple nearby law enforcement agencies, including Eagan, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, West St. Paul, the Minnesota State Patrol, Bloomington, and the Dakota County Sheriff's Office. assisted in the response.
Police Chief Tanya Schwartz praised the cooperation between Burnsville and neighboring agencies during the incident. The investigation is ongoing, with detectives actively pursuing leads. No arrests have been made at this time.
The Burnsville Police Department is urging anyone with information about the shooting to contact Detective Mitch Carlson at 952-641-1156. Community cooperation is essential to ensuring the area's safety and bringing those responsible to justice.
The public is advised to avoid Red Oak Park as police continue to process the scene. Our last update and our original report on the shooting incident are below.
UPDATE - 12:20 AM on Saturday, August 31, 2024: According to the Burnsville Police Department, officers arrived at Red Oak Park in Burnsville, MN, after receiving several reports of shots fired around 8:15 PM. Upon arrival, officers found multiple victims with gunshot wounds. Three of those victims were transported to a local hospital, and one victim showed up at a local hospital on their own. Another victim was treated at the scene and released. According to Burnsville Police, the extent of the injuries to those victims was not available at this time.
Burnsville Police ask residents and the public to stay out of the area as the investigation into the shooting remains open and active and is likely to continue into the day on Saturday. Officials with the City of Burnsville said the number of suspects related to this shooting is not known at this time. Burnsville Police say no official arrests have been made regarding this incident.
Our original story can be found below.
Original Story - BURNSVILLE, MINNESOTA - A shooting incident occurred at Red Oak Park in Burnsville around 8:15 PM on Friday evening, leading to a substantial law enforcement response. According to witnesses, a series of what sounded like several dozen shots rang out, leaving neighbors unsure if they were hearing fireworks or gunfire.
The incident appears to have originated near the basketball courts at the park. At around 8:55 PM, law enforcement confirmed for us that a shooting had taken place at the park. While on the scene, we saw at least two individuals being detained by officers. Details about the number of suspects or about the two detained and their involvement in the shooting have not yet been disclosed. Initial reports indicate that at least two people were transported to the hospital, although the nature and extent of their injuries remain unconfirmed. Authorities have not provided information on the total number of victims involved.
Several local law enforcement agencies responded to Red Oak Park due to this incident. Agencies assisting Burnsville Police included Eagan, Apple Valley, Inver Grove Heights, West St. Paul, the Minnesota State Patrol, Bloomington, and the Dakota County Sheriff's Office. Allina Health and the Burnsville Fire Department provided medical support.
An officer on scene confirmed they had several witnesses to the incident who were in the park at the time. While we were on scene, we saw at least a couple dozen witnesses who were being interviewed by law enforcement as they worked to piece together the events leading up to the shooting.
The investigation is ongoing, and further details are expected to emerge. More information will be provided when law enforcement authorities release an official statement.
Written by: Will Wight
