One Victim Dead After Shooting at Health Clinic in Buffalo

(KNSI) – One person is dead after a shooting at a health clinic in Buffalo. The suspect, 67-year-old Gregory Paul Ulrich of Buffalo, was taken into custody shortly after the shooting at the Allina Health Clinic late Tuesday morning.

Five victims were transported to Twin Cities hospitals with gunshot wounds. One has died. Three are in critical condition but stable. The fifth has been discharged from the hospital.

Authorities confirm that Ulrich had been staying at the Super 8 in Buffalo, where authorities found suspicious devices. A bomb squad was called in to the Allina Health Clinic following the shooting after officers spotted a suspicious object in the lobby. In a Tuesday afternoon press conference, Wright County authorities could not confirm if an explosion had happened at the clinic shortly after the shooting.

Wright County records show Ulrich has several previous DWI and drug charges.

Update posted at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday:

(KNSI) – Wright County authorities say a 67-year-old male suspect has been arrested after a shooting that happened Tuesday morning at the Allina Health Clinic along Crossroad Campus Drive in Buffalo.

President of Allina Health Buffalo Hospital Kelly Spratt said five people were transported from the clinic with injuries. Four were taken to North Memorial Health Hospital, and one was taken to Hennepin County Medical Center. Two of the victims had initially been taken to Buffalo Hospital before being transferred to a metro-area hospital. Spratt said he could not provide any information on the conditions of the victims.

Buffalo Police Chief Pat Budke said Tuesday afternoon that the suspect, Gregory Paul Ulrich, has lived in Buffalo for several years and local authorities are “familiar” with the suspect. Budke said the incident is not considered to be an act of domestic terrorism, and they believe Ulrich acted alone. Budke said the incident was most likely targeted at the facility or someone within the facility.

“All I can say is that it’s a history that spans several years, and there certainly is a history of him being unhappy … with the healthcare that he received,” Budke said.

Wright County authorities could not confirm if an explosion had happened at the clinic shortly after the shooting. The Minneapolis Bomb Squad’s investigation is continuing.

Wright County Sheriff Sean Deringer said Ulrich most recently stayed at the Super 8 Motel in Buffalo, prompting the investigation there.

Ulrich is in custody at the Wright County Jail.

Original story, last updated at 2:35 p.m. Tuesday:

(KNSI) – Authorities are on the scene of a shooting at the Allina Health Clinic along Crossroad Campus Drive in Buffalo. The Wright County Sheriff’s Office says it received the report of shots fired at 10:54 a.m.

About 30 minutes after the shooting, an explosion in Allina’s urgent care clinic was reported.

At least five people are reported to have been injured. The Associated Press reports that multiple victims were transported to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale, according to a spokesperson from that health system.

A single male suspect is in custody in connection to the bombing and the shooting.

Multiple outlets are reporting suspicion of a bomb threat at a Super 8 motel a mile south of the clinic. The Minneapolis Bomb Squad has been called in to investigate. The State Fire Marshal confirms that the bomb squad is investigating reports of possible bombs at “several locations.”

However, authorities on scene say the Allina Health Clinic is the only active scene at this time.

Just after noon, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives out of St. Paul said it is responding to the situation. Minnesota State Patrol pilots are transporting blood from the Red Cross to Buffalo Hospital, according to a tweet from the agency.

Wright County authorities confirm that area schools were placed on temporary lockdown as a precaution. The public is asked to remain clear of the area around the Allina Health Clinic.

Wright County Sheriff Sean Deringer and Buffalo Police Chief Pat Budke are expected to brief the press at 3 p.m.

Governor Tim Walz addressed the situation at 2 p.m.

“At this time it appears like it was a single individual,” Walz said, “and, again, too early to tell motives or reasons why or to be able to discuss it with a little more detail, but our thoughts and prayers and of course our support with [Minnesota] BCA, the Department of Public Safety, with DNR, State Patrol.”

Area Rep. Marion O’Neill has released an official statement on the shooting.

“I have been in contact with Wright County Sheriff Deringer and Buffalo Police Chief Budke offering my support for anything they may need to help our community through this unimaginable tragedy. My friends, my children and grandchildren live and work in Buffalo and while we do not yet know who the injured are, we are all connected. My heart breaks for these victims, their families and our community.”

This is a developing story. Stay tuned to KNSI for updates. Last update posted at 6:00 p.m. Tuesday.

Jennifer Lewerenz contributed to this report.