What began as a morning of worship at the Canterbury Park Expo Center in Shakopee ended in chaos and grief on Wednesday, when a 26-year-old man was shot multiple times during a prayer service and later died at Hennepin County Medical Center, according to police and local outlets.
What Police Say
The Shakopee Police Department said officers were called to a weapons complaint at about 9:55 a.m. and arrived to find the man suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. The case was soon upgraded to a homicide investigation. “We are actively working to identify the involved individuals,” the department said in a media release, asking anyone with information to call 952-445-1411.
At The Event
Local organizers said the gathering at the Expo Center was an Eid al-Adha prayer service. Several attendees were leaving when a physical altercation broke out, and shots were fired, according to CBS Minnesota. Imam Yusuf Abdulle told CBS the community is in shock and called the killing “senseless.”
Canterbury Park said the shooting happened outside the Event Center during a client-hosted event and noted that the casino remains open.
Community Reaction
Local Muslim leaders and civil-rights groups expressed shock and sorrow as congregants tried to process the violence tied to a sacred holiday. The Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations told WCCO it does not currently believe the shooting was motivated by bias.
KSTP reported that the Samaha Islamic Center had posted a flyer promoting an Eid event at Canterbury Park and that members were shaken by the killing.
Investigation And Tips
No arrests have been reported, and the suspects remain at large, as reported by ABC News. Detectives say they are collecting evidence and following up on leads while the investigation continues.
The Shakopee Police Department has urged witnesses to preserve any video and call 952-445-1411 with tips.
Why It Matters
The shooting took place on the first day of Eid al-Adha, turning what was meant to be a celebratory prayer service into a crime scene and deepening the trauma for a community gathered in faith. Local outlets reported the victim was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center and later pronounced dead, underscoring the severity of the attack and raising renewed questions about security at houses of worship and large community events.
Police say they will provide updates as the investigation develops and continue to ask anyone with information, including video from the area, to contact the Shakopee Police Department at 952-445-1411.
