Minnesota National Guard soldiers injured in drive-by shooting attack in Minneapolis

A Minnesota National Guard neighborhood security team says it was attacked early Sunday morning. Two guard members were injured from a drive-by shooting in Minneapolis, according to the Minnesota National Guard.

A neighborhood security team comprised of Minnesota National Guardsmen and Minneapolis Police Department officers were reportedly fired on around 4:19 a.m. on Sunday near Penn Avenue and Broadway Avenue in Minneapolis.

"A light-colored SUV fired several shots" at a security team involved with Operation Safety Net, a "joint effort among the Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, the State of Minnesota and local jurisdictions" to "ensure the safety of the public during the trial of Derek Chauvin; committed to protecting people, property, and freedom of speech."

Two Minnesota National Guard members sustained minor injuries from the attack.

"One Guardsman sustained an injury from shattered glass requiring additional care and was taken to a local hospital to receive treatment," the Minnesota National Guard reported. "The other Guardsman received only superficial injuries."

"I am relieved to know none of our Guardsmen were seriously injured," Maj. Gen. Shawn Manke, the Adjutant General of the Minnesota National Guard, said. "This event highlights the volatility and tension in our communities right now. I ask for peace as we work through this difficult time."

In a separate incident, video posted by Alpha News shows a man verbally harassing Minnesota National Guard members in Minneapolis on Saturday.

(Content Warning: Explicit language):

The Minnesota National Guard will attempt to provide security during the trial of Derek Chauvin, a former Minneapolis Police Department officer who was involved in the arrest of George Floyd, who died in police custody last May. Chauvin has been charged with second and third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter in the death of Floyd. The trial is expected to reach a conclusion this week, and many expect widespread violence and riots in Minneapolis if Chauvin is not convicted.

The Minnesota National Guard attack happened hours after Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif.) told protesters "get more confrontational" if Chauvin is not found guilty of murder.

With the concern of violence because of the Chauvin trial verdict, Minneapolis Public Schools decided to not hold in-person learning from Wednesday to Friday, April 21 through 23.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) told WCCO-TV, "The verdict is going to be a pivotal point in our state's history, and how we respond to that is going to shape us."