In a dramatic incident that unfolded on Monday morning, a busy shopping center in Woodbury, Minnesota became the site of a tense standoff that resulted in a suspect being shot by law enforcement officers. The incident took place in the parking lot of the Target located in Woodbury Village, near the intersection of Interstate 494 and Valley Creek Drive.

According to officials, the suspect, believed to be around 50 years old, was transported to Regions Hospital in St. Paul with gunshot wounds and is currently receiving treatment. Woodbury Public Safety Director Jason Posel acknowledged the bravery of the officers and deputies who confronted the situation, emphasizing that their courageous actions helped keep the community safe.

The sequence of events began when officers responded to a report of a vehicle with stolen license plates parked in the Target parking lot. Upon arriving at the scene, they discovered that the vehicle was empty. However, as they continued their investigation, the suspect returned to the vehicle and engaged in a physical altercation when officers attempted to apprehend him.

During the confrontation, it became apparent that the suspect was armed with a handgun. In response, the officers backed off and the suspect barricaded himself inside the vehicle. Negotiators, alongside the department's embedded social worker, were called in to deescalate the situation and resolve the standoff peacefully. Despite attempts to reach a resolution, the suspect did not comply with their requests.

Eventually, the suspect exited the vehicle while brandishing his handgun and pointed it in the direction of the responding officers. Faced with an imminent threat to their safety, the officers fired their weapons, striking the suspect. A Woodbury police officer and a member of the Washington County Sheriff's Office, who was part of the Washington County SWAT team, were involved in the shooting. Both officers have been placed on standard administrative leave pending an investigation.

Woodbury Police are currently investigating the original incident of stolen license plates that led to the standoff. The Target store, which had been placed on lockdown during the incident, remained closed as law enforcement conducted their investigation. A spokesperson for Target confirmed that all guests and team members at the Woodbury Valley Creek Plaza store were safe.

Eyewitnesses shared their accounts of the frightening ordeal, with one individual recounting the moment when an officer yelled, "He's got a gun!" upon their arrival at the store. Customers and employees were instructed to stay inside the store until the situation was resolved, while police designated the store's parking lot as a crime scene.

The standoff left many shaken, grateful that they had left the store before the incident occurred. Some sought refuge in nearby stores, unable to access their vehicles due to the crime scene restrictions.

As investigations into the incident continue, authorities are reminded of the importance of supporting law enforcement in the face of increasing violence directed towards officers. Minnesota Police and Peace Officer Association General Counsel Imran Ali called upon leaders to condemn such acts of violence and stand in solidarity with the brave officers who put their lives on the line to protect their communities.

Woodbury Police Department utilized a drone during the incident to monitor the situation from above and ensure the safety of both officers and the public.

The community now awaits further updates regarding the condition of the suspect and the ongoing investigation into the incident.