A violent stabbing Sunday morning outside of University Village has left University and Minneapolis police looking for answers.
The incident, initially reported to police as a shooting, resulted in at least one person being treated for a stab wound at an area hospital, officials said.
The event, which involved several black and Somali men, resulted in the injury of three Asian men, according to police reports.
A witness told police he saw approximately eight black men and a few Somali men involved in an altercation outside of University Village.
The man, who believes one of the potential suspects saw him, did not wish to be identified.
He told police he heard two gunshots and saw sparks before the group dispersed in different directions.
The witness said he could not differentiate between the opposing parties involved.
Upon arriving at the scene, at least 20 city and University police officers identified the three victims – at least one of whom appeared to have suffered a stab wound, Minneapolis police officer Ron Reier said.
Ken Perusek, director of operations for the company that owns University Village, said police officers told him the stabbing occurred next door to University Village in the parking lot of Bruce Printing Inc.
“It is my understanding that the stabbing took place next door, and then friends of the
victims carried them into the east-side foyer (of University Village),” he said.
Officials at Bruce Printing Inc. said they were unaware of the incident.
According to police reports, the victim was taken to
Hennepin County Medical Center where hospital officials said Monday that he remained in satisfactory condition.
Reier said police have made two arrests and are currently sifting through evidence the three victims, two arrestees, one witness, a reporter and at least 10 other people left behind at the scene.
Police department officials declined to comment on whether anyone had suffered a gunshot wound.
Police officials said they expect to interview several University students and staff – at least one of whom was entertaining the group of Asians in his University Village apartment prior to the stabbing.
University Housing and Residential Life did not return calls.
Police urge anyone with information to call (612) 673-2941.