Willmar Minnesota Shooting Today: Two Dead and One Critically Injured After Rau Park Gunfire

A shooting in Willmar, Minnesota, left two young men dead and another critically injured Monday night, September 21, 2026, prompting a major law-enforcement response at Rau Park.

Police were called to the park at approximately 8 p.m. following reports of gunfire. Officers arriving at the scene found two injured victims, both Willmar residents, according to reports. One was 19 years old and the other was 20.

The 19-year-old victim was taken to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries. The 20-year-old was transported by helicopter to a hospital in St. Cloud and remained in critical condition.

A third 19-year-old Willmar resident was transported separately to another area hospital and also died. Authorities have not publicly released the identities of the victims pending further notification and investigation.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting local investigators. As of the latest reports, police had not announced an arrest, and a motive for the shooting had not been established.

Authorities described the incident as isolated and said there was no ongoing threat to the wider public. Investigators are continuing to examine what led to the shooting and are seeking information that could help establish the circumstances.

The shooting has brought a significant response to the Willmar community as authorities work to determine what happened and identify those responsible.

It is important to distinguish this incident from an earlier shooting reported on the 700 block of First Street South in May 2026. That incident involved one injured man and was not the same event as Monday night’s fatal shooting at Rau Park.