Two weekend shootings at Minneapolis homeless encampments resulted in the deaths of three people and the injuries of three others, with police suspecting a connection between the incidents. The first shooting occurred early on Saturday, leaving one dead and two injured, while the second shooting took place on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of two men and a critically wounded woman. Police are investigating the possibility of suspects who fled the scene on foot and have not made any arrests yet. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey attributed the surge in violence to fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that has been linked to a majority of drug overdose deaths. The victims of the shootings have been identified as Deven Leonard Caston, Louis Lemons Jr., and Christopher Washington, all of whom died from multiple gunshot wounds. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara condemned the shootings as “outrageous” and emphasized the need for encampment residents to accept available resources to address issues of violence, narcotics, and mental health. The incidents highlight the safety concerns at homeless encampments and the urgent need for intervention to prevent further tragedies.
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