Minneapolis experienced a shocking incident when gunfire broke out near Annunciation Catholic Church on Wednesday, Aug. 27 – marking the fourth significant shooting within just 24 hours. 

The attack on the school, which alarmed both students and parents, concluded a violent series of events that resulted in at least three fatalities and left more than a dozen wounded throughout the city.

The violent spree has renewed political battles over Minnesota’s progressive criminal justice policies.

Zimmer emphasized that lawmakers frequently focus on how laws affect offenders rather than victims. “The reality is that Minnesota has consistently been one of the states with the lowest imprisonment rates,” he stated, “yet discussions about overincarceration hinder our ability to enhance penalties for criminal behavior.”

Retired NYPD Inspector and Fox News contributor Paul Mauro highlighted the severity of the spree: “We’ve seen over twenty shooting victims in that area in just two days,” he noted on X, criticizing progressive figures like Hennepin County District Attorney Mary Moriarty.

Per data from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, the number of murders surged after Walz assumed office in 2019, rising from 117 that year to a peak of 201 in 2021, and then gradually falling to 172 in 2023.

Experts attribute the increase to disruptions from the pandemic, negative attitudes toward police, progressive prosecutorial practices, and the so-called “Ferguson effect,” which involves police reducing proactive enforcement.

Governor Walz’s office did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. 

Stepheny Price covers crime, including missing persons, homicides and migrant crime. Story tips: stepheny.price@fox.com.