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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO/AP) — The identity of the suspect in the Buffalo health clinic shooting has been confirmed as 67-year-old Gregory Urlich.
Urlich, of Buffalo, is now in custody at the Wright County Jail. Meanwhile, five victims who were shot in the incident are being hospitalized.
In an emotional Tuesday afternoon press conference, Wright County officials said Ulrich is known to them. Buffalo Police Chief Pat Budke was visibly shaken as he discussed the scene of multiple shootings at the Allina Health clinic, saying the suspect has a history of being unhappy with the health care he received.
“The history that we have as a department with this individual makes it most likely that this incident was targeted at this facility or someone within that facility,” Budke said. “He has lived in this community for quite a long time and has had contact with health care within the community during that time.”
Officials believe he acted alone, and they are not looking for additional suspects. They do not believe it to be related to domestic terrorism.
Wright County officials also confirmed that five patients were taken from the clinic. Four victims are being treated at North Memorial Health hospital in Robbinsdale, and another victim is being treated at Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis.
The conditions of the victims is not known at this time. Officials would not confirm if the victims were patients at the clinic or health care employees.
A nearby Super 8 motel was also evacuated after suspicious packages were found there.
Read the latest below:
According to Wright County Sheriff’s Office officials, they received a report of shots fired at 10:54 a.m. Tuesday at 755 Crossroads Campus Drive. Officers with Buffalo police and deputies with Wright County responded.
An Allina representative confirmed at 11:30 a.m. that there was an “active shooter” situation at the Buffalo clinic.
Wright County officials say the suspect was apprehended, and that the location was evacuated and several people were taken to area hospitals for treatment.
Schools in the area were also placed on a temporary lockdown as a precautionary measure.
The public is advised to stay away from the area since there are multiple law enforcement agencies on the scene.
Despite some reports early on of explosive devices, John Holler with Wright County said that there were no bombs or explosives detonated.
A picture not long after the shooting showed a Life Link helicopter at the scene.
(credit: Samantha Sheets)
North Memorial Health spokeswoman Abigail Greenheck said multiple victims were brought to its hospital in Robbinsdale. She did not say how many or what condition they were in.
We do know that multiple victims of the Buffalo shooting have been at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale for several hours . Hospital has not released information about the number of victims here or their conditions @wcco will update pic.twitter.com/6xfIJ0adXJ
— esme murphy (@esmemurphy) February 9, 2021
Gov. Tim Walz addressed the shootings at a Tuesday afternoon news conference, calling it a “tragic situation.” He said that it appears, at this time, to be an act from a single individual.
At 3 p.m. Buffalo Mayor Teri Lachermeier will speak at a press conference. That will air on CBSN Minnesota.
Early Tuesday afternoon, WCCO crews talked with the owner of a business near the clinic, Doug Selle.
“Things have settled down here a little bit in Buffalo from what they were about 45 minutes ago,” Selle said. “I am looking directly across from the Allina clinic and seeing a lot of flashing lights, ambulances, a fire truck and probably 20 sheriff’s vehicles in front of the building.”
ATF’s St. Paul Field Division announced it is on the way to the scene.
#BREAKING @ATFStPaul is in route to a healthcare facility in Buffalo, Minnesota, after reports of an active shooter situation. No further details are available at this time. pic.twitter.com/YVZegzbGr4
— ATF St. Paul (@ATFStPaul) February 9, 2021
Additionally, Minneapolis police and the Minnesota BCA will be be sending resources to the scene.
TV helicopter news footage nearly two hours after the attack showed no activity at the clinic, but at least three shattered plate-glass windows could be seen on the clinic’s exterior.
(credit: CBS)
A state Department of Public Health spokesman said he didn’t immediately know if the clinic has been administering COVID-19 vaccinations. An Allina spokesman referred all questions to the Buffalo police and the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.
LOCAL REACTION
U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, a Republican who represents Buffalo in Minnesota’s 6th District, tweeted that he’s praying for the staff and patients at the clinic.
“My staff and I are in contact with Allina’s team and we hope that this horrible situation will come to a quick and peaceful resolution,” Emmer said.
Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat who represents the nearby west metro suburbs, tweeted that he was horrified by the reported violence.
“Targeting those who dedicate their lives to saving others is as heartbreaking as it is appalling,” he wrote. “Praying for the injured, their families, and our community.”
There is an unspeakable depravity in doing harm to those who work to heal us. Those who have stepped up and risked their own health for ours.
Our first responders are on their way to the scene to help. Today Minneapolis stands with our neighbors in Buffalo.
— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) February 9, 2021
Minnesota’s DFL party also issued a statement via Twitter, calling what happened an “attack on health care providers.”
Sen. Amy Klobuchar said she grew up not far from the area.
Tragic shooting at a Buffalo, MN health clinic today, not far from where I grew up. Several critically injured. So sad for all those there at clinic and those injured and praying for their recovery. Thanks to those saving lives right now. Gun violence must stop.
— Amy Klobuchar (@amyklobuchar) February 9, 2021
(© Copyright 2021 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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