WILLMAR, Minn. — Two young men died and another was critically injured after a shooting near Rau Park in Willmar, Minnesota, on Monday evening, September 21, 2026.
Willmar police were called to the 1000 block of 7th Street Northwest at about 8 p.m. after receiving reports of gunfire. Officers and emergency medical crews arrived and found injured men in the area near the park and the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds.
Two Willmar Men Die After Shooting
The first two victims located by responders were Willmar residents, ages 19 and 20.
Both were taken by ambulance to a local hospital. Police said the 19-year-old later died, while the 20-year-old was flown to a hospital in St. Cloud, where he remained in critical condition.
A third 19-year-old Willmar man was taken to the local hospital in a personal vehicle. He was also pronounced dead.
Police had not initially released the victims’ names while family notifications were being completed.
Police Investigate Gunfire Near Rau Park
Investigators with the Willmar Police Department began working to establish what led to the shooting.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension was assisting with processing the scene, while investigators interviewed witnesses and gathered evidence.
The circumstances surrounding the gunfire, including what led to the confrontation and whether the victims knew one another, had not been publicly established.
Authorities Say There Is No Ongoing Threat
Police described the incident as an isolated shooting and said they did not believe it was random.
Authorities also said they did not believe there was an ongoing threat to the wider public.
No arrests had been announced in the reports provided, and investigators had not publicly identified a suspect or released a motive.
Investigation Into the Willmar Shooting
The investigation remains active as authorities work to determine exactly what happened near Rau Park.
Investigators are expected to continue speaking with witnesses and examining evidence collected from the scene. Additional information could clarify the circumstances of the shooting and identify those responsible.
Until police release further findings, details about the motive and events leading up to the gunfire remain limited.
Families Await Answers After Fatal Shooting
The deaths have left two families mourning while another family waits for updates on a critically injured loved one.
The victims were young men from Willmar, and their deaths have brought a serious loss to the local community.
Names, funeral arrangements and memorial information had not been released in the reports provided.
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