Minneapolis was rocked by another devastating act of violence early Saturday morning, when a mass shooting occurred at one of the city’s most notorious intersections, 5th Street and Hennepin Avenue, an area that has long struggled with late-night crime and safety issues. The tragic incident left two people dead and three others injured, reigniting urgent discussions about public safety and crime prevention in downtown Minneapolis.
The two victims who lost their lives in the senseless shooting have been identified as Benjamin Haggray, 24, and Marcel Woodberry, 31, both local residents with ties to the community. The three others injured in the attack, two juvenile females and one adult female, sustained non-life-threatening injuries and were treated at nearby hospitals. Their identities have not been released publicly due to their age and the ongoing investigation.
The Incident Unfolds
The events of the night unfolded swiftly, just after midnight, in the bustling downtown district. According to Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) officers on the scene, they were initially dispatched in response to reports of a fight breaking out near a popular nightclub. It was a familiar situation for MPD officers, who have been called to this particular intersection multiple times over the past year due to disturbances involving crowds leaving nearby entertainment venues. However, the tension quickly escalated in a manner far more dangerous than anyone anticipated.
As officers arrived, the sound of gunfire erupted, sending crowds into a panic as they scrambled to find safety. In the midst of the chaos, five individuals were shot, leaving bystanders in shock. Officers rushed to the victims, administering first aid in an attempt to stabilize the wounded while simultaneously securing the scene to prevent further violence.
Two of the victims, Haggray and Woodberry, were found unresponsive at the scene, suffering from critical gunshot wounds. Despite the immediate efforts of emergency personnel to save their lives, both men succumbed to their injuries shortly after being transported to local hospitals. The other three victims, though also struck by gunfire, were fortunate to escape with injuries that were later determined to be non-life-threatening.
Investigation Begins
As the scene was secured, the Minneapolis Police Department quickly launched an investigation into the shooting, focusing not only on the gunman but also on what led to the violent outburst. It was later revealed that a suspect had been apprehended in the vicinity of the shooting after fleeing the scene. Investigators believe that the shooting may have been sparked by a dispute between individuals in the crowd that quickly escalated into deadly violence. The suspect’s identity has not been released, but authorities confirmed that a firearm was recovered during the arrest, and ballistics tests are being conducted to determine whether it was the weapon used in the attack.
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner is currently working to determine the exact cause and manner of death for both Haggray and Woodberry, though preliminary reports indicate they both suffered fatal gunshot wounds. Authorities are also working with witnesses and gathering surveillance footage from nearby businesses in an effort to piece together the exact sequence of events leading up to the shooting.
While the motive behind the shooting remains unclear, police have indicated that the fight that preceded the gunfire may have been part of an ongoing dispute between rival groups. Minneapolis Chief of Police Brian O’Hara addressed the media hours after the shooting, expressing his commitment to finding justice for the victims and calling for an end to the cycle of violence that continues to plague the city’s downtown area.
“Today, we lost two members of our community in a senseless act of violence,” Chief O’Hara stated. “Our investigators are working diligently to ensure that those responsible for this tragedy are held accountable. We will continue to enforce our late-night safety plan and work alongside our law enforcement partners to make sure our downtown streets are safe for everyone.”
A History of Trouble at 5th and Hennepin
The intersection of 5th Street and Hennepin Avenue, once a vibrant hub of nightlife and entertainment, has become a flashpoint for violence in recent years, with multiple shootings, stabbings, and other violent incidents taking place in the area. Business owners and residents alike have voiced concerns about the increasing danger, particularly during the late-night hours when bars and nightclubs close and crowds spill into the streets. The area is known for drawing large numbers of young people, many of whom come from surrounding neighborhoods, and it has developed a reputation for frequent fights, assaults, and, tragically, gun violence.
Despite efforts by local officials to enhance security, including increasing police patrols and installing surveillance cameras, the intersection remains a hotspot for crime. Many in the community have called for more proactive measures to address the root causes of the violence, such as poverty, lack of youth engagement programs, and a shortage of mental health services for at-risk individuals.
The tragic shooting that claimed the lives of Benjamin Haggray and Marcel Woodberry is only the latest in a string of violent incidents in the area. Just two months ago, a similar altercation outside the same nightclub resulted in another fatal shooting, prompting renewed discussions about the safety of downtown Minneapolis as a whole.
Victims Remembered
In the aftermath of the shooting, friends and family of the victims have come forward to remember the lives of Benjamin Haggray and Marcel Woodberry, whose deaths have sent waves of grief through the community.
Haggray, a 24-year-old aspiring entrepreneur, was described by those who knew him as a charismatic and ambitious young man. He had dreams of opening his own clothing store and was working tirelessly to build a better future for himself and his family. His cousin, who spoke to reporters on Sunday, expressed the family’s devastation at his untimely death.
“Ben had so much potential. He was just starting to figure out his path in life, and now that’s all been taken away from him. We’re heartbroken, and we just want justice for him,” she said, tears welling in her eyes.
Marcel Woodberry, 31, was a devoted father of two young children. Friends remembered him as a family man who was always willing to lend a helping hand to those in need. His death has left his children without a father, and his close-knit group of friends and family reeling from the sudden loss.
“Marcel loved his kids more than anything in this world. He worked hard to provide for them, and now they have to grow up without their dad. It’s not fair,” said a friend who had known Woodberry since childhood.
Calls for Action
The mass shooting has reignited public debates about gun control and the prevalence of firearms in Minneapolis. Community leaders, activists, and local officials have called for urgent reforms, pointing to this incident as yet another tragic example of the need for stricter regulations on firearm ownership and a more comprehensive approach to addressing gun violence.
“We can’t keep letting this happen,” said a local activist during a candlelight vigil held in honor of the victims. “We need real change—stricter gun laws, more resources for our young people, and real accountability for those who bring violence into our communities. Enough is enough.”
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also weighed in on the incident, expressing his condolences to the victims’ families and calling for a renewed focus on public safety initiatives. “This is not the city we want to be. We need to do more to prevent these kinds of tragedies from happening again,” Frey said in a statement.
The tragedy has also sparked discussions within law enforcement about the need for improved coordination between the police department and local businesses, particularly nightclubs and bars that operate in areas known for high crime rates. Some have suggested implementing stricter curfews or limiting the hours of operation for nightlife establishments in order to reduce the potential for violent altercations during the early morning hours.
Moving Forward
As the investigation into the shooting continues, the Minneapolis community is left grappling with the aftermath of yet another act of senseless violence. The families of Benjamin Haggray and Marcel Woodberry are mourning their devastating loss, while the survivors of the attack, two juvenile females and one adult female, are left to process the trauma of the night.
MPD investigators remain committed to bringing those responsible to justice and ensuring that this tragic event is not repeated. But for many in the city, the scars left by the violence at 5th and Hennepin will take a long time to heal.
Anyone with information about the shooting is encouraged to contact CrimeStoppers, where tips can be submitted anonymously. The community is hopeful that justice will be served, but the pain and grief left in the wake of this senseless shooting will undoubtedly linger for years to come.
