St. Paul Chamber Orchestra cancels Minneapolis performance over recent gunfire

The inaugural concert for a new venue in north Minneapolis has been called off due to concerns about gun violence in the area. 

The St. Paul Chamber Orchestra (SPCO) was due to perform at the Capri Theater's outdoor space — Plaza @ the Capri — on June 3, but on Friday, both organizations announced they're "exploring opportunities to reschedule this outdoor performance at a later date."

Per a news release, the cancellation comes after "shots were fired near the Capri midday on Monday, May 24," with bullets hitting an adjacent building as well as "several cars parked nearby."

Fortunately, no one was injured, but the release notes that the incident comes amid a "recent sharp increase in gun violence in North Minneapolis and other areas of the Twin Cities."

“Both of our organizations are concerned about the intense escalation of gun violence in our treasured Northside community,” Capri director James Scott said in the release. “We’ve never before had to cancel an event at the Capri out of concern for the safety of our audience, artists and employees, and we are deeply saddened to do so now.”

Nonetheless, SPCO will perform during the grand opening festivities for the newly renovated and expanded Capri, set for this October. Additionally, "the orchestra will continue its regular concert series at the Capri in the 2021.22 season."

Meanwhile, community leaders are looking to address escalating shootings in the area, with a new pilot project aimed at preventing gun violence without involving police.

This comes after a number of young children were shot in the city, two of whom died — most recently Trinity Ottoson-Smith, who was struck by a bullet while jumping on a trampoline during a birthday party.