Full Breakdown
Shooting Halts Eden Prairie Homecoming Football Game
By Drooid · · How we work
Incident Overview
During the homecoming football game between Eden Prairie High School and Minnetonka High School, gunfire erupted outside Aerie Stadium on the north side of the campus. Police responded to reports of shots at approximately 8:40 p.m. on October 2, 2026. The stadium was evacuated, and a large law-enforcement presence secured the area while students, staff, and spectators were directed to pickup zones at the adjacent baseball diamonds and Round Lake Park.
Timeline of Events
- October 2, 2026 (occurred) – Shots fired outside Aerie Stadium; police arrive; evacuation begins.
- October 3, 2026 (occurred) – School officials confirm two injured individuals, cancel the homecoming dance, and issue messages to families.
- October 5 (scheduled) – The football game is set to resume early in the fourth quarter, with Eden Prairie leading 21-14.
Injuries and Investigation
Two males, ages 17 and 18, were transported to Hennepin Healthcare with non-life-threatening injuries to the foot and calf. Both victims are not students at Eden Prairie or Minnetonka. Police have not made any arrests and describe the incident as an active investigation. Early reports suggest the shooting was “targeted,” while some officials and sources characterize it as gang-related, specifically involving Somali gangs.
Official Statements & Responses
- Governor Tim Walz expressed that “no homecoming, in any community, should be disrupted by gun violence” and noted state assistance to local authorities.
- Principal Dr.
- Police Chief Matt Sackett reported that officers were already on scene for a disturbance that escalated to gunfire and reiterated that the victims were not students.
Verbatim Quotes
- “No homecoming, in any community, should be disrupted by gun violence,” — Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, a former teacher and football coach
- “We all started running. I see people falling,” — Kenneth Menniboe
- “I've been doing this for 35 years, radio play-by-play of high school games, and I've never seen anything like it,” — Wally Langfellow, of Minnesota Score Radio
- “Our community took care of one another and our visitors, leading to an evacuation with zero injuries that was almost entirely complete within an hour,” — Josh Swanson
- “Somali gangs are terrorizing our communities and putting our children’s lives at risk.” — Majority Whip Tom Emmer
What’s Next
Classes are slated to resume on Monday, with the district promising additional support staff. The football game will continue on October 5, picking up early in the fourth quarter. No date has been set for a rescheduled homecoming dance, and police continue to seek information from the public.