One dead, three hurt in downtown Minneapolis bar shooting

A man was killed and three other people were injured in a shooting inside a downtown Minneapolis bar late Tuesday.

Shots rang out shortly after 11:30 p.m. at Bar Zia, which is near the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility and the Jerry Haaf Memorial parking ramp at 4th Street and 5th Avenue S., according to a list of police calls posted online.

A 21-year-old man died at the scene from multiple gunshot wounds despite lifesaving efforts administered by officers, according to a statement from Minneapolis police.

Two women and another man suffered noncritical gunshot wounds and were taken to HCMC, police said.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said Wednesday that investigators have “strong leads” but had yet to make an arrest. He said the parties involved knew each other.

The bar had security staff check patrons for weapons, “so how a firearm was able to get inside will be part of our investigation,” O’Hara said.

The bar was the source of a disproportionate amount of calls for service two years ago, according to O’Hara. Officers worked with the staff to improve security, which appeared to resolve the issues until another increase in calls for service developed in recent weeks, he said.

About 30 people were attending “Tipsy Tuesday” at the time, said the woman, who declined to share her name but goes by Gemini Tik Tok Queen on Facebook.

The woman, who was at a table near the front door, said she was hit in the lower right leg as she ran out the door. Others ran out another door or dropped to the ground as shots continued.

She said she did not know how many rounds were fired, but “it sounded like a lot of them going off at once, like it was more than one shooter.”

The woman’s account aligns with preliminary information from police that said an altercation inside the bar escalated into gunfire.

Officers said they encountered a large, unruly crowd involved in physical altercations when they arrived, a police statement said.

Additional officers from the Second, Third and Fifth precincts, along with deputies from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, responded to assist, a statement from Minneapolis police said.

“This senseless violence is heartbreaking and unacceptable,” O’Hara said. “An argument inside a crowded bar should never end in gunfire and a loss of life. Our investigators are working to identify everyone involved and hold those responsible accountable.”

A 31-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of obstruction and was booked into the Hennepin County jail.

The scene was cleared just after 5 a.m. Wednesday.

Anyone with information is asked to contact Minneapolis police by emailing policetips@minneapolismn.gov or calling 612-673-5845 to leave a voicemail.