WILLMAR, Minn. — A deadly shooting near the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds in Willmar, Minnesota, has left two young men dead and another critically injured, prompting an active investigation by local and state authorities.
Police were called to Rau Park, near the fishing pier on the west side of Foot Lake, shortly after 8 p.m. Monday, September 21, 2026, following reports of gunfire.
Officers and emergency medical crews found two injured Willmar men at the scene. The victims, ages 19 and 20, were taken to a local hospital. One of the men later died, while the other was airlifted to a hospital in St. Cloud and remained in critical condition. A third 19-year-old Willmar man was separately taken to a local hospital in a private vehicle and also died.
The victims’ identities have not yet been publicly released pending notification of their families.
What Happened in the Willmar Shooting?
The shooting was reported at approximately 8 p.m. Monday in the area of Rau Park, near the 1000 block of 7th Street Northwest and just west of the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds.
Police responded after receiving reports of shots fired.
Two injured men were located at the scene and received emergency medical treatment before being transported to a Willmar hospital. One subsequently died, while the other was transferred by helicopter to a St. Cloud hospital because of the severity of his injuries.
A third Willmar man, also 19, was brought separately to the local hospital by private vehicle and later died.
The incident has now become a triple-shooting investigation involving two fatalities and one critically injured victim.
Two Young Men Killed
Authorities have confirmed that two 19-year-old men and one 20-year-old man were involved in the shooting.
One 19-year-old victim and the 20-year-old victim were found by officers at Rau Park. Both were transported for medical treatment, but one of them later died.
The second 19-year-old was brought to the hospital separately and also died.
Police have not yet released the victims’ names as they continue working to notify relatives.
One Victim Remains in Critical Condition
The third surviving shooting victim, a 20-year-old Willmar man, was transported from the local hospital by helicopter to a hospital in St. Cloud.
As of the latest reports, he remained in critical condition.
Authorities have not released additional details about his injuries.
The condition of an injured victim can change as medical treatment continues, so further information is expected to come from authorities or the hospital when appropriate.
Willmar Police Say There Is No Current Public Threat
Willmar police said the shooting is believed to be an isolated incident and that investigators do not believe there is a current threat to the public.
That assessment means residents are not being advised that an active shooter remains at large in the community.
However, the investigation remains active, and authorities continue to work to determine what led to the shooting and identify those responsible.
Investigation Underway Near Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds
The Willmar Police Department is leading the investigation, with assistance from the Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
The area around Rau Park and the surrounding roadway was blocked while investigators processed the scene.
Authorities are expected to examine physical evidence, witness accounts and other available information as they reconstruct what happened.
At this stage, the identities of the victims, the identity of any suspect and a possible motive have not been publicly disclosed.
Was the Willmar Shooting Random?
Police have said they do not believe the shooting was a random act of violence.
However, investigators have not publicly explained the circumstances that led to the shooting or identified a motive.
Because the investigation is still active, speculation about why the shooting occurred should be avoided until authorities release verified information.
Where Did the Shooting Happen?
The shooting occurred at Rau Park in Willmar, near the fishing pier on Foot Lake.
The park is located just west of the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds, making the location an important reference point for residents trying to understand where the incident occurred.
The area was temporarily restricted while investigators worked at the scene.
Willmar Community Responds
The shooting has brought grief to a community now mourning the deaths of two young residents while another remains critically injured.
For family members and friends, the victims’ ages make the loss particularly difficult.
The investigation is taking place alongside the community’s efforts to support the affected families and allow them privacy during an extremely painful period.
Community members who may have information about the incident are encouraged to provide it to law enforcement rather than spreading unverified claims online.
Willmar Shooting Details
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Location | Rau Park, Willmar, Minnesota |
| Nearby landmark | Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds |
| Date | Monday, September 21, 2026 |
| Time reported | Approximately 8 p.m. |
| Incident | Shooting |
| Fatalities | 2 |
| Critically injured | 1 |
| Victims | Willmar men ages 19, 19 and 20 |
| Investigation | Willmar Police Department |
| Assisting agencies | Kandiyohi County Sheriff’s Office and Minnesota BCA |
| Public threat | Police say there is no current public threat |
| Motive | Not publicly disclosed |
| Victim identities | Not yet released pending family notification |
Authorities Continue Searching for Answers
Investigators still have important questions to answer about the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
Authorities will need to establish what happened immediately before the gunfire, identify the person or people responsible and determine the circumstances that led to the deaths.
Because the case remains active, information may change as investigators gather additional evidence.
Officials are expected to provide further updates when more information can be released.
Final Update on the Willmar Shooting
The Willmar shooting near the Kandiyohi County Fairgrounds has resulted in the deaths of two young men, while a third 20-year-old man remains critically injured following the Monday night attack at Rau Park.
Police responded shortly after 8 p.m. and found two injured victims at the scene. A third victim was transported separately to a local hospital. One of the men later died at the hospital, while the third victim also died.
Police say they believe the shooting was an isolated incident and that there is no current threat to the public. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting with the investigation.
The identities of the victims and any suspect information have not yet been publicly released.
As the investigation continues, the Willmar community is mourning the lives lost and hoping for the recovery of the surviving victim.
Disclaimer: This article is based on current reporting and preliminary information released following the September 21, 2026 shooting. Details may change as investigators continue their work. Victim identities, suspect information, motive and other circumstances should be confirmed through official updates.