A neighborhood bonfire in Oakdale took a frightening turn Thursday night when a man was shot in the abdomen and rushed to Regions Hospital in St. Paul, where police said he was listed in stable condition. The gunfire broke out around 10:25 p.m. in the 700 block of Gershwin Avenue, and witnesses told officers they heard what they believed were gunshots cutting through the late-night gathering. Officers swept the surrounding neighborhood after the attack but did not locate any suspects.
According to the Pioneer Press, Oakdale police were backed up by a Minnesota State Patrol helicopter circling overhead, while K-9 units from the St. Paul and Woodbury police departments, along with the Washington County Sheriff's Office and Maplewood police, worked the ground as officers canvassed the area. Investigators asked neighbors and anyone who had been at the bonfire to step forward with any details or footage that might help piece together what happened.
Victim in stable condition, shooter still at large
Oakdale police told the Pioneer Press the shooting happened "around 10:25 p.m." and that the man was "listed in stable condition" at Regions Hospital after being shot in the abdomen. Despite a search of nearby blocks with help from multiple agencies, officers said they did not find any suspects overnight.
How to help investigators
Police are urging anyone with information about the shooting to call 651-702-5227 or submit a tip through the city's CityProtect online tip form. Investigators are especially interested in any video or photos from people who were at the bonfire and may have unknowingly captured key moments on their phones.
