Buffalo clinic mass shooting: Here's what we know so far
Five people were injured when a 67-year-old man walked into an Allina Health clinic in Buffalo and began shooting Tuesday morning.
Here's what we know and don't know so far:
- 911 call reporting the shooting at the Buffalo Crossroads Clinic was made at 10:54 a.m.
- Gregory Paul Ulrich, of Buffalo, is identified as the suspected shooter.
- Ulrich was taken into custody.
- 5 victims were transported to metro-area hospitals.
- Extent of victims' injuries are unknown.
- Unclear if explosive devices were used, but police found a suspicious device in the clinic and others found in a room at the local Super 8 Motel where Ulrich was staying.
- Authorities say there is no reason to believe any further threat exists and that Ulrich acted alone.
- There is a "history" of service calls concerning Ulrich dating back to 2003, police say they don't believe terrorism is a motive.
- MPD and Minneapolis Bomb Squad were called to the scene to assist.
- Minnesota BCA, FBI and the ATF are involved in the investigation.
- State Patrol flew 6 boxes of blood from the Red Cross to Buffalo Hospital.
- Local schools were locked down.
- Public should stay away from the area of Hwy. 55 and Willems Way in Buffalo.
Ulrich, who has not been formally charged, has lived in Buffalo for a long time, according to Buffalo Police Chief Pat Budke.
After the 911 call was made at 10:54 a.m., responding officers rushed to the scene, detained Ulrich and "immediately began to render aid to the injured," according to Budke.
It's unclear if the five victims were specifically targeted, nor is it clear if the victims were Allina Health employees. A motive for the shooting is also unclear, though Budke speculated that Buffalo Police Department's history with Ulrich "makes it most likely that this incident was targeted at that facility or at someone at that facility."
Wright County Sheriff Sean Deringer said Ulrich is "no stranger to law enforcement."
Ulrich's criminal history includes drunk-driving charges in Wright County in 2004, 2005 and 2006, along with a citation for driving with an open bottle in Pine County in 2008.
He was convicted for DWI in both 2006 and 2007, sentenced in both instances to serve a year in jail followed by probation.
Budke added that none of Buffalo PD's past information about Ulrich "would indicate that he was unhappy with or would direct his anger" at anything related to the Allina Health clinic.
"There is no information at this point that leads us to believe that there is any nexus with any type of domestic terrorism," said Budke, who fought back tears during the 3 p.m. news conference. "We are very familiar with the suspect. I would just like to say I'm very proud of the men and women of law enforcement that responded to assist with this incident, to put themselves in harm's way."
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The Wright County Sheriff's Office said the incident had been contained by 11:42 a.m., though the scene is still tightly secured by law enforcement who continue to investigate the mass shooting.
Reports of explosive devices being detonated at the clinic have not been confirmed, with authorities only saying that a suspicious device was located in the front entryway of the clinic, which prompted the assistance of the Minneapolis Bomb Squad.
The Star Tribune, citing dispatch audio not yet officially confirmed, reported that one victim – a woman – was flown by air ambulance to a hospital after suffering three gunshot wounds.