Teen killed in downtown Minneapolis light rail shooting

MINNEAPOLIS – Police are investigating a shooting at a downtown Minneapolis light rail station Tuesday evening that left a teenager dead.

It happened at the METRO Blue Line’s Nicollet Mall Station at about 5:45 pm, promoting a shutdown in service that lasted until 8 pm

MPD and Metro Transit officers responded to reports of shots fired and found the victim, a teenage boy, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

Surveillance footage led to the suspect’s arrest within an hour of the shooting. Police say it was a Metro Transit bus operator who recognized the person from the description and alerted officers.

Investigators believe the shooter and victim knew each other, and the victim was targeted. A single shell casing was found at the scene.

While train service was stopped, masses of Minnesota Twins fans in jerseys and hats were dropped off to walk the rest of the way to Target Field. A lot of them were shaken. And for some, this makes them rethink how much time they want to spend downtown.

“I’ll come in on light rail, but at night if I don’t feel safe, we’ll go home on Uber,” said St. Paul resident Elaine Eyre. “We have that option to do that but not everybody does. And it’s just a shame for everybody involved, you know, that this is the situation.”

This is the city’s 53rd homicide of 2022, which has the city on pace for 90. Last year there were 97 homicides.

Anyone with information on this case can submit an anonymous tip online to Crime Stoppers, or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).