‘People are afraid’: No arrests, little information after five shot at Burnsville park

No arrests have been made and details remain scarce after a shooting injured five people at a popular neighborhood park in Burnsville on Friday.

A city spokesperson Wednesday morning confirmed no arrests have been made in connection with the investigation.

The Burnsville Police Department has not provided details on the ages of those shot at the park, nor commented on the extent of injuries.

The incident

According to police, officers responded to the 36-acre Red Oak Park around 8:14 p.m. Friday after shots were fired in the basketball court area.

Upon arrival, police found four people suffering from injuries; three of the victims were taken to the hospital and one person was treated at the scene and released.

Officers later learned of a fifth injured person, who was brought to the hospital in a private vehicle.

According to police, multiple law enforcement agencies assisted with securing the park and searching for suspects, some of which reportedly fled on foot into the park's wooded area.

Red Oak Park, located roughly a half-mile south of Cliff Road on River Hills Drive, has been a popular destination for families in the surrounding neighborhoods for decades.

Today, the park offers an accessible playground, pickleball courts, a disc golf course and other amenities.

'We're not safe'

Kathy Gleason, who has lived near the park for 33 years, told the Burnsville City Council on Tuesday that she and her neighbors were in her backyard the night of the shooting.

“Helicopters are hovering above and we have no idea why," Gleason said. "What I don’t understand is why we were never alerted."

Gleason said she plays pickleball and takes her dog to the park on a daily basis and nearly walked to Red Oak Park that evening, where she might've encountered one or more armed suspects.

On Tuesday, she said city officials might not understand "how much it's rippled through the community" that residents weren't alerted and told to stay put during the incident.

“There were still armed men going around into the neighborhood with guns," she said.

It should be noted police haven't commented on any potential suspects or stated whether or not multiple firearms were involved as of Wednesday.

Without arrests, "we're not safe," Gleason continued.

“People are afraid. Very afraid and nothing much is being said," she said. "And notification needs to be given if this ever happens again.”

City leaders respond

Burnsville Mayor Elizabeth Kautz began Tuesday's meeting with remarks regarding the shooting.

“The shooting incident at Red Oak Park this past weekend was horrific and I, and members of the council, share your concerns and your fears about the public safety of our community," she said.

According to Kautz, increased law enforcement patrols are being conducted in the area of Red Oak Park and police “are working around the clock to find answers to this horrible event and bring those responsible to justice.”

“We understand there is a desire to have more information and realize it can be frustrating for our community to not have information, but I assure you we are communicating all the information we can at this moment,” she said.

Council member Dan Kealey said enhanced security measures will be in place at the three-day Burnsville Festival and Fire Muster, which begins Thursday.

“This year as a result of the recent incident, there will be extra steps taken," he said, indicating security measures will include surveillance and highly visible law enforcement patrols.

Police seeking tips

Officers are seeking information from the public in connection with the investigation.

"The help of everyone who knows something, saw something or can provide information is critical," Burnsville Police Chief Tanya Schwartz stated in a news release Saturday.

"I can't stress enough the need for cooperation from the members of the public who have information to come forward," she continued. "Finding those responsible will make our community safer."

Anyone with information regarding the shooting is asked to contact Burnsville Police Det. Mitch Carlson at 952-641-1156.