Minnesota State Fair Shuts Down Early After "Disturbances" in Midway Area, Large Police Presence

[Ghoti Ichthus]

There's a bunch of conflicting info in national and international sources. These two excerpts are LOCAL. More will be released locally later, and I'll post it when I get back from church.

State fair shuts down early after "disturbances" in Midway area, large police presence​

By WCCO Staff
Updated on: September 3, 2022 / 11:10 PM / CBS Minnesota
"FALCON HEIGHTS, Minn. -- The Minnesota State Fair closed early Saturday night after an incident caused hundreds to flee the area in a panic.
WCCO crew members reported there was a large police presence and crime scene tape being put up in the Midway area.
A representative for the fair said it shut down around 10:20 p.m. due to "disturbances" near the Midway.
"There is nothing more to confirm at this time," the state fair announced at 10:50 p.m."

More
https://www.cbsnews.com/minnesota/news/hundreds-flee-the-midway-at-state-fair-after-incident/

Law enforcement close State Fair early after incident​

By KSTPUpdated: 5 hours ago
Published: September 3, 2022 - 10:46 PM
"UPDATE 1:15 a.m.: The Minnesota State Fair has confirmed that officers responded to a gunshot shortly after 10 p.m. at the intersection of Carnes Ave. and Liggett St. at the fairgrounds. They say the area was “heavily populated” at the time of the shooting.
A victim with non-life-threatening injuries was located and taken to the hospital by St. Paul fire medics. 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS saw a heavy police presence in the area.
The Minnesota BCA is aiding with the investigation."

More
https://kstp.com/kstp-news/top-news...ment-closing-state-fair-early-after-incident/


Please pray for peace. The Minnesota State Fair has always been a place for fun, learning, friendly competition (4H, etc.), and political and social activism, campaigning, and exchange of ideas, for anyone and everyone.

 

[Ghoti Ichthus]

From LOCAL media. Important: this was NOT a random incident.

Shooting and brawl at Minnesota State Fair triggers mass crowd panic, exodus, and early closure​

By Jared Goyette and Fox 9 Staff
Published September 3, 2022 11:43PM
Updated September 4, 2022 12:33PM
Minnesota State Fair FOX 9

"ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - A person was shot during a brawl in the Midway section of the Minnesota State Fair Saturday night, triggering a mass panic and chaotic crowd rushing out of the area, resulting in the early closure of the fairgrounds.
The Minnesota State Fair Police Department said that officers responded to a gunshot shortly after 10 p.m. Saturday near the intersection of Carnes Avenue and Liggett Street when the area was "heavily populated with fair guests and a large contingent of law enforcement."
The gunshot happened within 15-20 feet of "dozens of law enforcement officers," State Fair Police Chief Ron Knafla said during a press conference Sunday.
Officers later located a victim with a non-life threatening gunshot wound to the leg, and paramedics took the victim to the hospital. The shooter took off in the crowd and was not arrested. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting with the investigation.
Knafla said police were already at the scene of the shooting, responding to a report of a fight and large groups of juveniles running through the midway. Witnesses described seeing a fight involving multiple people near the area, with police moving quickly to break it up."

More
https://www.fox9.com/news/minnesota-state-fair-brawl-panic-early-closure

Shooting incident injures one, shuts down Minnesota State Fair on Saturday night​

Officials promise larger police presence on Sunday

MPR News Staff
September 3, 2022 11:54 PM

"Earlier, thousands of people filled the fair’s streets and concessions on the cool, clear evening. About an hour before the incident occurred law enforcement officers were gathered at the head of the Midway, where many of the fair’s rides are located.
The shooting comes despite metal detectors at the fair gates, although some fairgoers have reported only cursory examinations of bags and other belongings after fairgoers set off the magnetometers. Videos posted to social media also show people scaling the fair’s perimeter fence on Saturday night, away from the official fair entrances and metal detectors.
Last night’s incident follows a 2019 shooting that injured three people and preceded a serious vehicle-pedestrian crash at the fair’s main gate on Snelling Avenue on the last day of the State Fair in 2019.
It also follows a surge of gun violence in the Twin Cities, including two recent shooting incidents at the Mall of America.
Gov. Tim Walz and state public safety commissioner John Harrington had joined State Fair Police Chief Ron Knafla just hours before the fair opened to assure fairgoers. “The good news is it's a safe fair. It’s going to be a great fair,” Harrington said at a press conference."

More
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/09/03/state-fair-evacuated-after-disturbances


Please continue to pray for peace.

 

[Andy C]

Prayers for peace.