2 killed in Minnesota shooting; shooter deceased

Two victims and a suspected shooter have died, and several others were injured, including three police officers, in a shooting Wednesday in a high-rise apartment building in the US state of Minnesota, according to police.

Officers responded to the shooting in Minneapolis at 4.36 pm local time (2136GMT). Upon entering the building, officers encountered victims and followed the sound of gunfire to an upper floor, where they encountered a haze that significantly limited visibility, Sgt. Garrett Parten told reporters.

Three police officers were among the injured, including two by gunfire. One officer sustained an apparent non-life-threatening gunshot wound to the leg, another was in surgery and a third is being evaluated for a non-life-threatening injury.

Among four with apparent gunshot wounds transported to a nearby health facility, one of them died. Another died at the scene, police said.

Parten confirmed the suspected shooter is deceased, though it remains unknown how he died.

He noted that preliminary information remains subject to change.

The Minneapolis Police Department said earlier it was responding to a scene of a shooting involving multiple victims.

The FBI said it was aware of the shooting and personnel are responding.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) said special agents were also responding to the incident.

Authorities urged residents to avoid the area.

Gov. Tim Walz said his public safety team was responding, and that state officials were on the ground assisting law enforcement.

No further details were available on a possible motive for the shooting.