Minneapolis police shoot man armed with AK-47 and flak jacket

The man's motive is unclear, but police say he was heavily armed. They found a shotgun, an AK-47 rifle, a .45-caliber pistol and a backpack with more ammunition. O'Hara also said the man was wearing a military-style flak jacket — body armor designed to stop bullets while protecting the wearer from firearms.

“We had the bomb disposal team come to check the backpack because I was concerned it might be a booby trap for the emergency responders,” O'Hara said at the press conference. “It's been a busy week for everyone in Minneapolis.” [There’s been] a horrific number of shootings and murders in the last week.”

Local officials again called for gun control measures.

“This morning, MPD officers received a call like they never want to get. Thanks to their quick actions, nearby neighbors and family members are safe today,” Mayor Jacob Frey said in a statement on X. “Nobody needs an AK-47. Removing these weapons from our streets must be a top priority in state capitals across the country.”

“I, like many of you, am exhausted and hurt by this yet another senseless act of gun violence that people across our country know all too well. The news of the shooting at Appalachee High School in Winder, Georgia, has been particularly hard on many,” said 12th District Councilmember Aurin Chowdhury in a public update. “It breaks my heart that our community had to experience this last night and into the early hours of this morning. We must make every effort at the local, state and federal levels to address and end gun violence in our communities.”

Councillor Chowdhury added that she was “looking forward to the [BCA] investigation in order to be as transparent as possible in publishing the results.”