Two weekend shootings at homeless encampments in Minneapolis left three people dead and three others wounded. The first shooting occurred early Saturday morning, killing one man and injuring two others. The second shooting, a triple shooting on Sunday afternoon, resulted in the deaths of two men and critical injuries to a woman. Police are investigating the possibility that the two shootings may be related.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey attributed the surge in violence near homeless encampments to the drug fentanyl, which has been linked to a rise in overdose deaths. Synthetic opioids, including fentanyl, were responsible for a majority of drug overdose deaths in 2023. The victims of the shootings were identified as Deven Leonard Caston, Louis Lemons Jr., and Christopher Washington, all of whom died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara called the shootings “outrageous” and emphasized the need for resources to address issues related to narcotics and mental health in homeless encampments. O’Hara stressed the importance of residents accepting available resources to help end the cycle of violence. As of now, no arrests have been made in connection with the shootings, and investigations are ongoing.
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