Gunfire outside an Edina church basketball court on Tuesday night prompted the removal of the hoops and raised concerns regarding community safety. Police reported that shots were fired at a group of teenagers playing outside Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church, though investigators confirmed no injuries occurred during the incident.
Edina Police Increase Park Patrols After Tuesday Night Shooting
“After this week’s shooting at Our Lady of Grace, I know many people in Edina are feeling frustrated, angry, and frankly afraid,” Milburn stated in a social media post.
In response to the violence, the Edina Police Department increased its presence in local parks during peak evening hours. The department also assigned an officer to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension violent crime reduction unit to investigate recent shootings on a statewide level. Authorities are also continuing to investigate an unsolved July shooting at Yancey Park, for which officials previously offered a $5,000 reward for tips leading to charges.
Our Lady of Grace Church Removes Basketball Hoops Following Gunfire
Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church removed its community basketball hoops from the backboards in the wake of the Tuesday night shooting. Church leadership released a statement expressing relief that no one was injured while calling for broader municipal intervention.
“We are saddened by the events that took place on Tuesday evening,” the church stated. “We are thankful no one was hurt, and we are praying that the city leaders can take meaningful action to mitigate these events in the future.”
Local faith leaders have echoed those safety concerns. Rev. Dr. Yolanda Denson-Byers, senior pastor at Shepherd of the Hills Lutheran Church, emphasized the broader anxiety affecting neighborhood families. “It is frightening, and we are very concerned about what we can do as a community to create more safety for our children and for our neighbors,” Denson-Byers said.
The Edina Police Department confirmed that the investigation into the Tuesday night shooting remains active and urged anyone with information to contact local authorities.
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