Buffalo, Minnesota — One person is in custody following a shooting that killed one person and injured at least four others at a Buffalo, Minnesota clinic on Tuesday.
Just before 11:00 a.m. local time, the Buffalo Police Department and the Wright County Sheriff’s office responded to a 911 call from Allina Crossroads clinic with a report of shots fired.
According to Buffalo Police Chief Pat Budke, officers were informed of several injuries and additional law enforcement departments including Minneapolis explosives experts, and Minnesota Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) also responded to the incident.
BCA special agents and crime scene personnel are en route to assist the Buffalo Police Dept. in the investigation of a shooting incident involving multiple victims.
— Minnesota BCA (@MnDPS_BCA) February 9, 2021
On scene, Officers located multiple victims for whom aid was rendered and a 67-year-old suspect was taken into custody.
Buffalo area schools were temporarily placed in lockdown and students at a school near the clinic were evacuated.
Wright County Sheriff Sean Derringer identified the suspect as Gregory Paul Ulrich, a 67-year-old Buffalo resident. The belief is that Ulrich acted alone.
Officials said the suspect was “very” well known to the Buffalo police department.
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“It’s a history that spans several years and there certainly is a history of him being unhappy with the health care that he received,” Budke said. “There’s also, within that history, nothing to indicate that we would’ve been in the situation that we are at today.”
“There is no information at this time that leads us to believe that there is any nexus with domestic terrorism,” Budke added.
“Our heart breaks as a community,” Chief Budke said. “This is a day that no community would want to go through. Especially those staff that were there and of course those that were injured, the families of those that were injured. Our thoughts and prayers are with them.”
During a search of the building, a suspicious package was identified, and Minneapolis bomb squad and ATF was called in before evacuating remaining first responder personnel. The suspect was staying at the Buffalo Super 8 Motel which was also evacuated and investigated by Minneapolis bomb squad and ATF.
According to Allina Buffalo Hospital President Kelly Spratt, five patients were transported from Buffalo to other metro area hospitals. One of the victims has died.
Allina Health issued this statement:
“Today our hearts are broken. We are a family at Allina Health and this has been an incredibly traumatic day for our entire organization, the patients we serve and the community of Buffalo. Our thoughts are first and foremost with those tragically injured and their loved ones. The Wright County Sheriff’s office is leading this ongoing investigation, and we are assisting in any way we can. Right now, our focus is on supporting our staff, their families and our patients. We wish to express our thanks and gratitude to law enforcement, first responders and all those who are sending their thoughts and prayers.”
Buffalo Mayor Teri Lachermeier concluded a press conference with encouragement to support neighbors, friends, and community members through this difficult time.
Governor Tim Walz also addressed the incident.
I want to thank our front line workers for their swift and heroic action today. This is a sad day for us all.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) February 9, 2021
A precise motive for the attack remains under investigation.
