(Patriot Watchdog) – We’re sad to say that despite everything that has been happening in 2020, people can still darken our hearts with their acts of violence. Between COVID and dozens of other catastrophes that have taken people’s lives, guns claimed another victim at the beginning of this week.

On Monday, there was another tragedy in Minneapolis. The community still mourns the loss of a 17-year-old boy that got shot and eventually died. But the teen was not the only victim — the shooting also gravely hurt another man, who luckily is still alive.

The shooting took place on Monday afternoon at the intersection of North Fremont and Dowling avenues. According to Minneapolis police, there was a group of individuals outside of a Super USA store. At some point, one or more of them began shooting.

Emergency crews took the victims to Hennepin Healthcare, but sadly, the 17-year-old drew his last breath shortly after. The other man’s condition was critical, but thanks to the medical attention he got quickly, he should live.

Both victims were members of Lacy Johnson’s campaign, a Republican congressional candidate who is looking to represent Minnesota’s 5th Congressional District and thus oust Rep. Ilhan Omar. However, the shooting was not a politically driven attack, according to Lacy Johnson’s campaign and Minneapolis PD statements. The two victims were not performing any campaign duties at the time of the shooting. It’s possible that it was just another cold murder staining the streets.

The Johnson campaign’s statement reads, “Today, we are shocked and saddened to learn of this senseless act of violence. It is shocking and unnecessary acts of violence like this that prove why change is more needed than ever in our community.”

This event marks just another one of the many shootings that have taken place in Minneapolis recently. In addition to the other deadly shootings that happened in August, which are still under investigation, the police have a lot of work ahead of them. Sadly, with everything that is happening amidst the pandemic, the surge in gun violence will probably mark this summer as one of Minneapolis’ most violent ones in history.

The police also say that 2020 is on track to double the homicide rate of 2019. So, we know that it’s an issue they have to take care of — and soon. With such high homicide rates, ignoring the problem will only result in more broken families and hearts.

As for the shooter, the Minneapolis PD is still investigating. So far, they know that the culprit got away on foot. We saw that in almost every shooting that took place lately in the City of Lakes, the shooter managed to escape the police one way or another.

Should this be a cause for concern for Minneapolis residents? Probably. But should there be gun regulations? We can’t say for sure. All we know is that the public is not safe, and when children are the victims of such shootings, the entire community feels their loss.