MPR News PM Update
May 18, 2021

For the weather, mostly cloudy skies tonight, with lows in the mid-50s to lower 60s. Highs again in the mid-70s to mid-80s for most of the state on Wednesday, with scattered showers and a chance for some isolated thunderstorms south. More showers and thunderstorms are possible for the rest of the week as well. Get the latest from Updraft.

Minneapolis police are investigating a shooting that sent a young child to the hospital — the third incident in the past three weeks in which a child younger than ten has been seriously injured by stray gunfire.

The six-year-old girl remained in critical condition on Tuesday afternoon, after the car she was riding in was apparently caught in a shootout in north Minneapolis Monday night.

Peace activist K.G. Wilson identified the girl as his granddaughter, Aniya Allen. Wilson says her family told him they'd stopped by a McDonalds on the way home. She was in the car eating near 36th and Penn when dozens of shots rang out.

”I guess they somewhat drove right in it, or whatever," Wilson said. "And there was over, maybe, 30 shots fired, and one of the bullets hit my granddaughter in the head.”

Wilson called for swift action to stem the recent gun violence in Minneapolis. Three children ages 10 and younger have now been critically injured by gunfire in the city in the last three weeks.

In COVID news, The Minnesota Department of Health reported 519 new COVID-19 cases today as the pandemic’s grip on Minnesota continues to loosen.

The positivity rate also continues to decline, as do hospitalizations. The seven day average for ICU admissions is down to 10 per day, and non ICU admission to about 50 per day, about half of what each were a month ago.

There were 14 newly reported COVID-19 related deaths, none of which were in long-term care settings.

Vaccinations meanwhile continue at a slower pace than when eligibility expanded to most groups. More than 53 percent of Minnesotans are now fully vaccinated. Nearly 62 percent of Minnesotans have at least one dose.

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