Twin fetuses’ deaths ruled homicides after September shooting in Minneapolis

Two unborn twins were killed after a woman was critically shot in September in Minneapolis, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office.

Two 8-9-week-old fetuses with the last name Keys died due to complications of uterine rupture after their mother suffered a gunshot wound to the abdomen, the autopsy report states. Their deaths were ruled homicides.

On Sept. 18 at 6:31 p.m., Minneapolis police responded to a ShotSpotter activation near Bryant and 23rd Avenues North. Within ten minutes of their arrival, they were notified that a woman had arrived at North Memorial Hospital with at least one gunshot wound and was in critical condition.

Police said that the woman had been standing outside when she heard gunfire and subsequently realized she’d been shot, receiving a "serious" gunshot wound.

During a 26-hour span from Sept. 18-19, there were seven shootings in Minneapolis that injured 11 people, including that which killed the fetuses.

The fetuses were determined to have died on Sept. 18. On Wednesday, Minneapolis police confirmed that the mother survived her injuries and has been released from the hospital.

The Minneapolis Police Department is investigating the unborn babies’ deaths and announced they are the 88th and 89th homicides in the city in 2021.

Anyone with information about the incident is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 800-222-8477 or submit online.