Eden Prairie Superintendent Provides Update On 'Gang-Related' Shooting, Condemns Online Hate Toward Somalis

EDEN PRAIRIE, MN — Eden Prairie Schools Superintendent Josh Swanson is condemning online hate aimed at the Somali community after Friday's shooting outside the high school's homecoming football game, which police now say was likely gang-related.

"The heinous and sickening actions of a few do not define an entire community," Swanson wrote in a message to families Sunday evening.

Swanson said he has seen hateful messages spread online about entire communities "based only on the ethnicities of those who perpetrated this act," and called that wrong.

"Our Somali students, neighbors and community members are just as outraged by what happened as everyone else, and each person deserves to feel safe and welcome in our schools and community," he wrote. Threats, bullying or aggression against any member of the community will not be tolerated, he added.

Read more: 2 Shot Outside Eden Prairie Homecoming Game In 'Targeted' Attack, Police Say

Swanson also said the district now knows the targeted shooting involved people from outside the Eden Prairie community.

In an update Saturday, Eden Prairie police said they believe the shooting was gang-related. No arrests have been made.

The two people shot are Somali males from St. Paul, ages 18 and 17, who are "known to law enforcement," police said.

The 18-year-old was released from Hennepin Healthcare on Saturday, while the 17-year-old remained hospitalized with non-life-threatening injuries.

Before the shooting, a large fight broke out on the west side of Aerie Stadium, police said. Officers broke it up and removed several people from the stadium grounds. Shortly afterward, officers responded to a report of a shooting in a parking lot on the north side of the high school.

Eden Prairie police are working with regional law enforcement partners on the investigation.

Anyone with information is asked to email Police@edenprairiemn.gov or call the anonymous tip line at 952-949-8477.

School is continuing as planned Monday for all schools and grades, Swanson said. The district spent the weekend preparing to support students and staff as they return.

Juvenile liaison officers will continue to be in schools as usual, and there may be additional police presence near schools this week as a show of support from the Eden Prairie Police Department, according to Swanson. "We do not anticipate any further violence," he wrote.

Students who want to talk about what happened are encouraged to connect with a social worker, school counselor or other trusted adult. Eden Prairie High School students can also use an anonymous reporting form for concerns about bullying, safety or mental health, the district said.

Eden Prairie High School Principal Jaysen Anderson canceled Saturday's homecoming dance after the shooting.

The homecoming game against Minnetonka, which was halted early in the fourth quarter with Eden Prairie leading 21-14, is scheduled to resume Monday, according to the Eden Prairie football team.