West 66th Street turned into a no-go zone Wednesday afternoon as Edina police rushed to an apartment building across from Southdale Center, shutting down the busy stretch and warning drivers and pedestrians to steer clear. The response began shortly after 12:30 p.m. in the 3300 block of West 66th Street and brought in multiple officers and specialized units, snarling traffic and briefly disrupting access to nearby businesses and medical facilities while the area was secured.
There is a large police presence occurring now, Wednesday April 22nd at 12:30pm, in the 3300 block of 66th Street West in Edina. AVOID the area until further notice. More updates to come. April 22, 2026
Officers Fan Out Around Southdale
Edina police took to social media early in the response to urge people to stay away from the 3300 block of West 66th Street, saying officers were handling an incident that started around 12:30 p.m., according to KSTP. Reporters at the scene said K-9 teams were deployed and multiple law enforcement agencies were seen moving through buildings in the area surrounding the mall.
Hospital Locks Down As Precaution
M Health Fairview told local reporters it activated lockdown procedures as a precaution after hearing from Edina police, and aerial video showed officers concentrating on an apartment building across from Southdale Center, per FOX 9. West 66th Street was blocked off and the public was asked to avoid the area while the police response continued, according to CBS Minnesota.
Area Already On Edge From Past Incidents
Southdale Center and the neighborhood around it have dealt with several lockdowns and firearm-related responses in recent years, prompting city leaders to float the idea of a dedicated Southdale police substation to beef up patrols, according to the Star Tribune. Earlier episodes, including a 2023 mall lockdown after reports of gunfire that ultimately left no one injured, have helped drive ongoing debates over how to handle public safety in the bustling shopping district, as documented by MPR.
By midafternoon Wednesday, authorities had not announced any arrests or reported any injuries in connection with the incident, and the Edina Police Department said more details would be released when available, according to FOX 9. Traffic around West 66th Street was still being detoured as crews remained on scene, per KSTP.
