Lockdown lifted at Eden Prairie Center after man fatally shoots self at Scheels

All stores at Eden Prairie Center were placed on lockdown Monday night after a man fatally shot himself at Scheels.

An Eden Prairie police officer on scene told reporters one shot was fired in the Scheels store and a man was found dead. The incident happened just before 7:30 p.m.

Eden Prairie Police Chief Matt Sackett confirmed the man died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and said this was “an isolated incident.”

The lockdown was lifted as of 9:20 p.m., but Scheels remains closed as police collect evidence. Chopper 5 captured shoppers streaming out of the mall as they were cleared to leave.

One person who asked not to be named told 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS he was inside Scheels when a worker yelled, “Gun!”

“I heard one pop, it didn’t sound loud enough to be a gun, I didn’t know what it was, but apparently it was a gunshot,” he said, adding that everyone ran out of the store.

Police say there is no immediate danger to the public.

Here is a list of suicide prevention and mental health resources:

• 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988
• Crisis Text Line – Text MN to 741741 to connect with a trained crisis counselor to receive free, 24/7 crisis support via text message.
• Minnesota Department of Human Service’s adult mental health resources
  • DHS map and list of statewide adult mental health crisis response phone numbers
  • DHS map and list of statewide children’s mental health crisis response phone numbers
• The National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) – Minnesota
• Veterans Crisis Line at 988, Option 1 or by texting 838255
• Minnesota Farm and Rural Mental Health Helpline at 833-600-2670 or by texting “FarmStress” to 898211

If you believe someone is at risk of suicide, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services suggests you:

• Ask questions about whether the individual is having suicidal thoughts.
• Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 988 or 1-800-273-TALK (8255).
• Seek help from a medical or mental health professional. If it is an emergency situation, take the person to a hospital.
• Remove any objects from a person’s home that could be potentially used in a suicide.
• Do not leave the person alone, if possible, until help is available.