STEWARTVILLE, Minn. — A student is critically injured and a man is dead after a shooting in the parking lot of Stewartville High School on Friday morning.
Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson said the shooting happened around 5 a.m. Friday, as the school’s wrestling team was preparing to go to a wrestling meet. According to the team’s schedule, the tournament was in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
“We don’t know anything that led up to this at all, at this point,” Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson said during an 11 a.m. press conference Friday.
The names and ages of those involved have not been released as of Friday morning.
“One of the teammates was walking in the parking lot when a gunshot was heard by others,” Torgerson said. “The victim was located on the ground in the parking lot by coaching staff. As other staff and students were looking around at that moment to see what had happened, they heard a second shot.”
Torgerson said the student was taken to Mayo Clinic Hospital-Saint Marys for immediate surgery. He remained in critical, but stable condition.
The adult male was found with a rifle in his hand and an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The sheriff’s office has been in communication with both families involved. Torgerson said both are cooperating with law enforcement.
While around 40 wrestlers and coaches were on the scene at the time, none reported seeing the shooting.
Torgerson said coaches who heard the gunshots responded quickly to render aid to the student.
The students at the scene were held until they could be reunited with their families, which Torgerson said had been completed by 11 a.m.
The sheriff said his agency will continue to lead the investigation, but the department has been in contact with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
This incident has impacted far more than just the families involved,” Torgerson said.
Classes and other school activities were canceled for Stewartville Public Schools on Friday.
Superintendent Belinda Selfors said the closure was intended to give law enforcement full access to the school and site. She also expressed her appreciation for the work of the Olmsted County Sheriff’s Office, noting it is a “difficult day” for the Stewartville community. She encouraged people to avoid speculating why this happened.
Torgerson, who lives in Stewartville, said it’s understandable that people will talk and support each other during such a challenging time, but he added that speculation can be harmful as the investigation continues.
“The worst thing people can do is just start speculation on this or that, or relationships and this sort of thing,” he said. “That is not going to help anybody, ever.”
He said investigators have talked to all the students and others who were on the scene Friday morning, but much of the evidence remains to be examined.
“All the basic investigative things that need to happen will continue to happen, and if there is some more information in regard to the case, we will certainly let you all know.”
Selfors said she and others from the district remain focused on the safety and well-being of the students. Care and support teams were available Friday, and will be available to students and staff over the weekend and when school resumes on Monday.
“We are here to support our students, our staff and our communities in any way that we can,” Selfors said.
