Two people were hurt in an Eden Prairie shooting outside Aerie Stadium on Friday night, Oct. 2, during the high school’s homecoming football game against Minnetonka. Police said neither person’s injuries are life-threatening, according to CBS Minnesota.
Eden Prairie shooting: What police say
Officers responded around 8:40 p.m. to a report of a shooting in a parking lot on the north side of the high school, Eden Prairie Local News reported. Police first said the shooting appeared to be targeted. On Saturday afternoon, they said investigators now believe it was gang-related.
No arrests have been made. Police said officers are pursuing multiple leads but do not have specific enough suspect information to release.
The victims are two males from St. Paul, ages 18 and 17, who are known to law enforcement, police said. The 18-year-old was discharged from Hennepin Healthcare on Saturday. The 17-year-old remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries. Neither attends school in the Eden Prairie or Minnetonka districts.
Before the shooting, police said, officers broke up a large altercation on the west side of the stadium and removed several people from the grounds.
Stadium evacuated, game halted
Officials evacuated the stadium and school. The district said police had secured the area by 9:22 p.m. and confirmed at 9:52 p.m. that there was no active threat. Attendees were directed to Round Lake Park, where families could reunite with players and band members, Bring Me The News reported. Superintendent Josh Swanson said no one was hurt during the evacuation.
The game was stopped with 11:49 left in the fourth quarter and Eden Prairie leading Minnetonka 21-14. The district said Friday night that play was expected to resume Monday, with a time to be determined.
Principal Jaysen Anderson canceled Saturday’s homecoming dance. Holding it less than 24 hours after the shooting “feels out of place,” he wrote in a message to families.
What’s next after the Eden Prairie shooting
Classes are scheduled to resume Monday, with extra staff and support available for students and employees, Swanson said, according to The National Desk. Anderson said he would share details about support for students and staff by 9 p.m. Sunday.
Anyone with information is asked to email Eden Prairie police at police@edenprairiemn.gov or call the department’s anonymous tip line at 952-949-8477.
For more crime coverage, read our report on a fatal Florida shooting tied to an NFL game dispute or browse our true crime coverage.
