UPDATE: Video of homicide suspect shooting himself taken down by MPD; initially posted to dispel rumors that led to civil unrest, looting

Tommy Wiita

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Police are investigating after a body was found at a downtown Minneapolis parking ramp Wednesday afternoon.

Minneapolis police confirmed the body was found at Ramp A, located in the area of 10th Street North and Currie Avenue. Upon arrival they located a man who appeared to be shot and was deceased.

A preliminary investigation indicates that three people, two men and one woman, were in a dispute that turned physical. A man pulled out a gun and shot the other man. The shooter and the woman fled the area on foot. Officers at the scene were able to quickly put together a description of the suspects. According to police, officers located the woman a short time later and took her into custody. At this time, she is being detained to determine her level of involvement in the shooting. Police do not believe it was a random attack as the three people appear to have known each other.

Later, at about 6 p.m., the male suspect was located on foot on Nicollet Mall between 8th Street and 9th Street. As officers approached the suspect, the suspect produced a handgun and took his own life. Minneapolis police spokesperson John Elder said people began to live stream to social media that officers had shot the suspect in the head. Elder said that information is false and police have surveillance video of the incident taking place.

An active scene in downtown Minneapolis on Aug. 26, 2020.[KSTP]

The video, a surveillance camera owned by the city, shows a man in a white T-shirt, wearing a black backpack and a hat.

"He appears to have seen officers approaching. He turned into a doorway of a building, produced a handgun, put it up underneath his chin. He then adjusted his stance, and shot himself underneath the chin closer to where it meets the neck," Elder said.

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Elder went on to say that police released the surveillance video immediately to media outlets to "quell rumors and hopefully thwart civil unrest."

After the man fired the weapon, officers approached, slid the gun away and attempted life-saving measures, which were unsuccessful. He was declared dead at the scene. Police noted the video could be released as no officers were "involved in any use of force."

The identities of the deceased will be released by the Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office in the coming days.

The Minneapolis Police Department tweeted out the video on their page Wednesday night. On Thursday morning, the department took the video down "out of respect for the individual."

WARNING: This video contains graphic content

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The scene was active in downtown Minneapolis near Nicollet Mall and police responded to the activity. Police told a KSTP reporter in the area that people attempted to loot Target and Haskell’s. Broken windows are reported on Haskell’s on South 9th Street on Nicollet Avenue. Police also add people attempted to loot Nordstrom Rack.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz issued a statement Wednesday night, saying, in part, "Minneapolis it’s time to heal."

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey tweeted everyone should go home if in the area.

Metro Transit tweeted due to police activity, buses and trains will not be serving the area until further notice.

This is a breaking news story. Stay with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS for the latest updates.