5 p.m. update:
Read a Sept. 16 update on how the City is assisting Minneapolis' unhoused population, as addressing addiction, housing, and employment concerns shows results as number of unsheltered declines.
1:15 p.m. update:
City to close Lake Street encampment
Due to urgent safety and health concerns including a shooting that injured seven people last night, the City of Minneapolis is in the process of closing the encampment on privately owned property at S. 28th Avenue and Lake Street.
At approximately 10 p.m. on Monday, Officers responded to multiple reports of shots fired in the area of the encampment. Seven people were injured by gunfire, four with life-threatening injuries. Minneapolis Police Department (MPD) investigators are working to determine the events leading up to the shooting. It is unknown if this shooting is related to the shooting earlier on Monday that injured five people near Lake Street and Stevens Avenue.
2:30 p.m. Sept. 16 press conference
City’s response
For much of the summer, the City has worked to provide shelter, services, and support to people at this encampment on private property, while also addressing safety and health concerns to prevent violence like what occurred last night. Unfortunately, despite two previous efforts by the City to close the encampment and a series of public health notices for issues like the presence of drug paraphernalia, open fires, excessive debris, unsafe temporary structures, lack of water and restroom access, and more, the property owner has continued to allow the encampment to remain.
The property is currently being cleaned of trash, debris, and other abandoned items and is secured by MPD as an active crime scene. The City has filed a lawsuit relating to the encampment, which includes a motion for temporary restraining order prohibiting the encampment from reforming on the property.
The City’s Police, Health and Public Works Departments have been on the scene since early Tuesday morning. The City is working on providing additional resources to encampment residents and everyone affected by the shooting.
Progress on Homelessness
While one person experiencing homelessness is one too many, the rate of unsheltered homelessness in Hennepin County in 2024 was already less than half the national average. And while many cities are seeing drastic increases in unsheltered homelessness, we’re steadily decreasing. This year, the unsheltered population has decreased by 14% (a reduction of 33.5% the peak in 2020). There is still much more work to be done, but this shows our approach, including our partnership with the County and service providers, is working.
Visit Hennepin County's website for more statistics.
Background
Encampments in Minneapolis are unlawful, no matter where they are. The City has been working with the property owner since early July to abate the public health nuisances and provide resources to encampment residents.
Timeline
- Since July 2: The City’s Homeless Response Team (HRT) has been to the site every weekday since July 2 to help with making calls to shelters and offering resources.
- July 21: Mr. Sabri was served with the first public health nuisance letter and was given until July 23 to correct the problems listed in the letter. No action was taken by Mr. Sabri.
- July 27-Aug. 19: Mr. Sabri was served with five citations from July 27 through Aug. 19 for public health issues including the presence of drug paraphernalia, lack of water access, improperly stored food, accumulated solid waste, evidence of open fires, unsafe makeshift structures, and excessive debris.
- Aug. 21: Mr. Sabri was served with a second public health nuisance letter and was given until Aug. 25 to rectify the issues stated in the letter, or the City will do it for him, at his expense. No action was taken by Mr. Sabri.
- Sept. 12: City files lawsuit against Mr. Sabri related to the encampment, which includes a complaint and a motion for a temporary restraining order prohibiting Mr. Sabri from maintaining the encampment on the property.
- Mr. Sabri has been served with 12 public health nuisance citations totaling nearly $20,000 in fines.
Hennepin County's Streets to Housing team has been at the encampment at least three times a week since July, offering a variety of services to the changing population of people there, including connecting them to emergency shelter, housing, treatment and more. Staff are making plans to reconnect with people to continue working toward their housing goals.
South Minneapolis community safety support
Mayor Frey requested additional resources from the state to support MPD’s enforcement efforts in South Minneapolis.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) says it remains committed to supporting Minneapolis with specific support from the State Patrol and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA). The agencies continue their work initiated earlier this summer, including high-visibility patrols by State Troopers and key investigatory work from BCA agents. By answering the continued call for assistance, DPS collaborates with Minneapolis and other partners to help address public safety concerns for those who live in, visit and work in the city.
“This neighborhood has endured far too much violence, and what happened today is unacceptable,” said Mayor Frey. “We are taking immediate steps to secure the area and crack down on the dealers and violent offenders who are exploiting it. At the same time, we will continue to provide pathways for people battling addiction to get the help they need. Our residents deserve safety, accountability, and action.”
9:45 a.m. update:
Around 10 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 15, Minneapolis Police responded to multiple reports of shots fired in the area of E. Lake Street and 28th Avenue S.
Seven people were injured, four with potentially life-threatening injuries. Responding officers located five injured people within an encampment nearby.
Investigators are working to determine the events that led up to the shooting. Multiple casings were found throughout the encampment.
It is unknown if this shooting is related to the earlier shooting at Lake Street and Stevens Avenue on Sept. 15.
Due to urgent safety and health concerns, the City of Minneapolis is in the process of closing the encampment at Lake Street and 28th Avenue.
Press Conference
Mayor Frey Statement
Below is Mayor Frey’s statement regarding the shooting that took place Monday night at an encampment on private property on Lake Street:
“Last night, multiple people were seriously injured at an encampment. My thoughts are with the victims and the Southside community.
"We are grateful to our partners at the State who are willing to assist MPD’s efforts to address crime in the area, and we will be closing this landlord's private property encampment today, now that MPD has finished investigating the scene. If the landlord wants to sue us, we'll see him in court. It was his choice to prevent us from closing it twice before, and this won't be tolerated.
"Equivocation on this issue is unconscionable. Whether you’re a private property owner or an elected official, the time for hedging is over.
"We have years of evidence showing that encampments are unsafe. They don’t just endanger residents; they create conditions where some of our most vulnerable neighbors are exploited by drugs, violence, and trafficking. They regularly end with violence, fire, or tragedy. That is why we close them.
"Making encampments more 'permanent' is not harm reduction—it entrenches harm. Our obligation is to help people transition to safer, healthier alternatives.
"The City’s Homeless Response team will continue to go out daily, offering shelter and resources. Our Mobile Medical Unit will continue to go out daily, providing health care and opioid resources. The Minneapolis Police Department will continue to respond to areas to ensure tents aren’t being set up. And we will continue to work with our partners at the County to connect people to housing.
"After we offer those services, encampments must be closed. We cannot allow them to persist when violence, danger, and tragedy are the norm. More lives will be lost if we do.”