A Minneapolis police officer, Jamal Mitchell, who was hailed as a hero last year, was tragically killed in an ambush by a gunman while responding to a shooting, authorities reported.
Mitchell, 28, was one of two people killed in the Thursday incident that also left four others wounded. The gunman responsible for the attack was also killed.
Timeline of Events
Police received a call about two people being shot at an apartment building in Minneapolis’ Whittier neighborhood around 5:15 p.m. When officers arrived, they were immediately fired upon, leading to an exchange of gunfire, according to Assistant Police Chief Katie Blackwell.
Mitchell and the suspect were both killed in the shootout, and another officer was injured. Authorities later discovered three more civilians who had been shot; one of them died at the scene. Among the four survivors, a Minneapolis police officer and a firefighter suffered non-life-threatening injuries, while the other two victims, including a person shot in a vehicle and another found in an apartment, sustained life-threatening injuries.
Officer Jamal Mitchell’s Legacy
Mitchell’s heroism had been evident early in his career. Just three days after being sworn in as a police officer in 2023, he bravely entered a burning house to rescue an elderly couple. Reflecting on that incident, Mitchell told CNN, “We’re not trained to run into fires, but we are trained to put others’ lives in front of ours.”
In his final moments, Mitchell was attempting to render aid to shooting victims when he was ambushed by one of the people he was trying to help, who turned out to be the gunman.
“Mitchell was a hero, a son, a father, a fiancé, and an officer deeply committed to protecting and serving,” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Despite his short tenure, Mitchell left a significant impact on the department, earning an award on his third day on the job.
Ongoing Investigation
The motive behind the gunfire remains unclear. Police believe they know the suspect’s identity, but homicide detectives are working to determine the motive.
Witness Reuben Molina recounted hearing gunshots while watching TV in his third-floor apartment. He and his girlfriend initially mistook the sounds for something else but soon realized they were gunshots. Molina described the chaotic scene, saying he saw “people shooting” but couldn’t distinguish between officers and civilians.
The exact number of officers who exchanged fire with the suspect is still being determined, as authorities have provided differing accounts. Forensic scientists are currently collecting evidence, and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting Minneapolis police in investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Addressing Gun Violence
This incident adds to the troubling statistics of gun violence in the US. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been at least 180 mass shootings in the first five months of this year. The National Fraternal Order of Police reported that at least 136 officers have been shot in the line of duty in the first four months of this year, with 20 fatalities.
Mayor Frey emphasized the need for action to prevent such tragedies, stating, “We got to do everything possible to make sure that these tragic events, this epidemic of gun violence, this kind of stuff never happens again.”
The city of Minneapolis mourns the loss of Officer Jamal Mitchell and honors his sacrifice and dedication to protecting the community.