2 Dead, Shooter Dead After Minneapolis High-Rise Shooting

Two people are dead and multiple others injured after a gunman opened fire inside a high-rise apartment building in downtown Minneapolis on Wednesday, police said. The suspected shooter is also dead.

Interim Police Chief Bill Peterson told reporters he was "truly sickened by this level of violence." Officers responded to reports of a shooting at a building on East Grand Street shortly after 4:30 p.m.

Police found victims in the lobby and heard additional gunfire, according to department spokesperson Garrett Parten. "Officers followed the sound of gunfire to the upper floor of the building, and on that floor, officers encountered a haze that significantly limited their visibility," Parten said. Authorities said they were not yet sure what caused the haze.

A total of seven people were shot. One victim was found dead at the scene, and a second died at a hospital. Three other shooting victims were taken from the scene for treatment.

Two Minneapolis police officers were among the wounded. One was shot in the leg, and another was shot twice in the abdomen and was undergoing surgery, the mayor said. A third officer was being evaluated for an apparent non-life-threatening injury. Four additional officers reported adverse effects after exposure to an unknown airborne substance, and two more were injured when their squad car crashed while responding to the scene.

Peterson said he understood all the injured officers were expected to make a full recovery. It remains unclear how the suspect died. Police said they were familiar with the suspect but do not yet have a motive. Some victims lived in the building, Peterson said, though authorities were still confirming that.

Mayor Jacob Frey praised officers who he said rescued victims and brought people to safety "all while getting shot at themselves," calling their actions "incredible bravery and courage."

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in a statement that he was relieved the officers were expected to recover fully. "We're keeping all of the victims in our prayers as more information about this tragic shooting unfolds," he said.

This is a developing story.