Fatal Shooting Near George Floyd Memorial Site in Minneapolis
A fatal shooting has occurred less than a mile from the intersection in Minneapolis where George Floyd was killed in May 2020, reigniting tensions and grief in a community still reeling from the trauma of police brutality. The incident took place late Wednesday evening on the 3700 block of Chicago Avenue South, an area that has become a global symbol of the fight for racial justice. According to the Minneapolis Police Department, officers responded to reports of a man shot at approximately 10:45 p.m. Upon arrival, they discovered an adult male victim suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Paramedics transported the individual to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Authorities have not released the victim's identity, pending notification of family members, and have not provided a description of any suspects. The shooting site is located just blocks from the 'Say Their Names' cemetery memorial and the massive mural dedicated to Floyd, located at the intersection of 38th Street and Chicago Avenue. This area, often referred to as George Floyd Square, has been a focal point of demonstrations, community gatherings, and ongoing debates regarding public safety and police reform. Residents of the Southside neighborhood expressed shock and despair, noting that gun violence has become an unfortunate staple of daily life, even in a zone heavily patrolled by activists and media. 'It feels like we are trapped in a cycle of violence that started three years ago and never really ended,' said one local business owner who asked to remain anonymous. 'Every time we hear sirens, our hearts stop. To have this happen so close to where George took his last breath is devastating.' City Councilmember Jeremiah Ellison released a statement early Thursday morning, calling the violence 'unacceptable' but urging the public to remember the systemic issues that led to Floyd's death. 'We cannot solve this with more repression,' Ellison wrote. 'We need holistic investment in our neighborhoods to stop this bloodshed.' The shooting comes amidst a highly charged political atmosphere regarding the future of policing in Minneapolis. Voters in the city recently rejected a proposal to replace the police department with a new Department of Public Safety, a measure that was heavily debated in the wake of the 2020 uprising. Since Floyd's murder, Minneapolis has seen a dramatic spike in carjackings and homicides, a trend mirrored in many major American cities, though local leaders remain divided on the root causes. The intersection of 38th and Chicago has functioned as an autonomous zone for much of the past three years, with community members providing security, food, and medical aid to residents. While the area has fostered a strong sense of community, it has also struggled with sporadic violence, including shootings earlier this year that left several injured. Police investigators are currently reviewing security footage from nearby businesses and residential cameras. They are asking anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. The tragedy serves as a grim reminder of the challenges facing Minneapolis as it attempts to heal from the wounds of the past while grappling with an escalating crisis of gun violence that affects every corner of the city. As dawn broke over the memorial site, volunteers gathered to clean up debris and hold a vigil for the latest victim, determined to honor the memory of those lost to violence by continuing their work for a safer, more equitable future.
