Two young men are dead and another is critically injured following a shooting Monday night near Rau Park in Willmar, Minnesota, as police and state investigators work to determine what led to the gunfire.
The shooting happened around 8 p.m. September 21, 2026, in the 1000 block of 7th Street Northwest, near the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds.
Willmar police responded after receiving reports of gunshots and found two injured men at the scene.
What Happened in Willmar?
Officers and emergency medical personnel immediately began providing life-saving treatment to two men found at Rau Park.
The victims were identified by police only by age in the initial reports: one was 19 years old and the other was 20 years old. Both were from Willmar.
They were transported by ambulance to Carris Health – Rice Memorial Hospital in Willmar.
One of the men was pronounced dead at the hospital.
The second victim was airlifted to a hospital in St. Cloud, where he remained in critical condition.
Third Victim Dies
A third Willmar man, also 19 years old, was taken to the Willmar hospital in a private vehicle.
He was later pronounced dead.
This brought the confirmed death toll to two, with a third victim remaining critically injured.
Authorities had not released the names of the victims while family notifications were pending.
Shooting Investigation Underway
Willmar police secured the area and began interviewing witnesses following the shooting.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was called to assist with processing the crime scene and collecting evidence.
The Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office and emergency medical personnel also assisted during the response.
Investigators have not publicly explained what happened immediately before the shooting or identified a motive.
Police have also not announced any arrests in the latest available information.
Police Say Shooting Was Isolated
Authorities said they believe the shooting was an isolated incident and not a random act of violence.
Police also said they did not believe there was a current threat to the public.
That assessment means investigators do not believe the shooting represented an ongoing random danger to people elsewhere in Willmar.
The investigation nevertheless remains active, and authorities have described the case as fluid.
Victims’ Names Not Yet Released
The identities of the two men who died and the injured man have not been publicly released.
Police are withholding their names while relatives are notified.
Additional information about the victims may become available once those notifications are complete.
For now, the confirmed information establishes that all three victims were Willmar residents and that their ages were 19, 19 and 20.
Community Awaits Answers
The shooting occurred near Rau Park and the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds, bringing a significant emergency response to the area Monday evening.
The deaths have left the Willmar community waiting for answers about what led to the violence and whether anyone will face criminal charges.
Investigators are expected to continue gathering witness statements and processing physical evidence as they work to establish the sequence of events.
Willmar Shooting Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Incident | Fatal shooting |
| Location | Rau Park, 1000 block of 7th Street Northwest |
| City | Willmar, Minnesota |
| Date | September 21, 2026 |
| Approximate time | 8 p.m. |
| Victims | Three young men |
| Ages | 19, 19 and 20 |
| Deaths | Two |
| Critical injuries | One |
| Victims’ residence | All three from Willmar |
| Hospital | Carris Health – Rice Memorial Hospital |
| Critical victim | Airlifted to St. Cloud hospital |
| Names | Not released pending family notification |
| Suspect/arrests | No arrests publicly announced |
| Motive | Not released |
| Police assessment | Isolated incident, not random |
| Public threat | No current threat reported |
| Investigation | Active |
| Additional agency | Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension |
Investigation Remains Active
The circumstances surrounding the shooting remain under investigation.
Police have not yet publicly detailed the events that preceded the gunfire, identified a suspect or explained why the shooting occurred.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s assistance indicates investigators are continuing to process the scene and gather evidence.
Further updates are expected as authorities release additional information and complete family notifications.
Disclaimer
This article reflects information available at the time of publication. The Willmar shooting remains an active investigation, and details concerning the victims, circumstances, motive, suspects, arrests and potential charges may change as authorities release additional information. The names of those involved have not been published here because officials had not yet released them pending family notification.