Metro Transit officer witnesses homicide, shoots and injures suspect

A third homicide in Minneapolis happened fewer than 45 minutes after two separate fatal shootings were reported between 1:37 a.m. and 1:48 a.m. Saturday, with the third killing witnessed by a Metro Transit police officer, who fired on the suspect. 

According to a release from Metro Transit police, the incident happened just after 2 a.m. in downtown Minneapolis, in the area of Hennepin Avenue and South 5th Street. 

"Officers witnessed an adult male shoot another adult male. A Metro Transit police officer engaged the suspect and shot the suspect in the leg," the release says. 

The suspect was taken to Hennepin Healthcare and released into custody. The victim, however, died after being transported to Hennepin Healthcare, marking the third homicide in Minneapolis during the early morning hours of Saturday. 

Criminal charges are pending. The identities of the alleged shooter, the victim and the Metro Transit officer who shot the suspect have not been released. 

The Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the investigation into the incident. 

Note: The details provided in this story are based on the police’s latest version of events, and may be subject to change.