Child, 10, Killed In Random Shooting In Minnesota As Gunman Shot At Vehicles, Details
Motorists and pedestrians scattered in a state of panic as a gunman who was reportedly firing randomly at cars in Oakdale, Minn. killed a 10-year-old and wounded the child's mother and another female on Monday night, Oakdale police chief Bill Sullivan stated. The 33-year-old suspect, who was said to be using a handgun, is now in custody.
Several gunshots were fired at about 6:10 p.m. near Hadley Avenue N. and 7th Street N. closeby to a Rainbow Foods store in the eastern Twin Cities suburb, according to KMSP-TV.
The shooter was said to have fired at a vehicle carrying the 10-year-old and his mother. The child died and the mother suffered a bullet wound on her arm. It still remains unknown whether the late child was a boy or girl.
A woman in another vehicle was hit by a gunshot and wounded in her hand. However, Sullivan stated that both of the woman are expected to make a full recovery.
"It appears to be entirely random. At this time it appears he was randomly shooting at vehicles," Sullivan told The Associated Press.
A 33-year-old man was taken into custody and is currently being questioned by investigators. The St. Paul Pioneer Press stated that the suspect lives in the neighborhood.
The authorities believe that no other suspects were involved in the tragedy and that there is no more danger to the general public, Sullivan stated.
"It's sick. What can you say when a 9-year-old or 10-year-old is killed? ... People are devastated that this could happen in our city," Oakdale Mayor Carmen Sarrack told the Minnesota Star-Tribune on Monday night.
"God only knows what motivates someone to do this. It's happening way too often," Oakdale police Capt. Jack Kettler stated, referring to the string of recent random shootings across the U.S.
