‘As Heartbreaking As It Is Appalling’: Minnesota Politicians Address Deadly Buffalo Clinic Shooting

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MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — Minnesota’s political leaders are speaking out about the shooting late Tuesday morning at Buffalo’s Allina Health Clinic.

Gregory Ulrich, 67, is in custody. Five people were injured in the attack, one of whom later died at a Hennepin Healthcare hospital in Minneapolis. Of the four other victims — all of whom were taken to North Memorial Health hospital in Robbinsdale — one was released late Tuesday afternoon, while the three others are in critical, but stable, condition.

(credit: Wright County Jail)

Gov. Tim Walz took to Twitter to condemn the attack.

It is heart-wrenching to see the violence that occurred today in Buffalo in a place Minnesotans go to heal. As we learn more, the First Lady and I are praying for the victims and those who work at the clinic.
— Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) February 9, 2021

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During a previously-scheduled news conference Tuesday afternoon, Gov. Walz said he received a briefing from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension within the hour of the shooting. He communicated with Mayor Teri Lachermeier about the developments, and thanked all of those partners for their response.

“At this point in time we have a community traumatized. We have families of the workers who are there unsure of what’s happening. We know to get that information as quickly as possible,” Walz said. “I want to just extend heartfelt prayers and thoughts to those folks and a heartfelt thanks to the Buffalo Police Department and Wright County Sheriffs who responded. From everything I’m hearing in this, [they responded] in an incredibly-fast manner.”

U.S. Rep. Tom Emmer, a Republican who represents Buffalo in Minnesota’s 6th District, tweeted that he’s praying for the staff and patients at the clinic. He released a full statement early Tuesday evening.

“Buffalo is known for being a safe and welcoming city, and the Allina health clinic and its workers are a central part of this community. News of today’s shooting was devastating and Jacquie and I are praying for the victims and the entire Allina family. I want to thank the Wright County Sheriff‘s office and all of our first responders for their rapid and professional response to this horrific event, and my office stands ready to assist everyone at Allina and in the Buffalo community in the days ahead.”

Sen. Tina Smith also took to Twitter, calling the shooting “an unspeakable act of hate.”

Heartbroken by today’s horrible shooting in Buffalo, an unspeakable act of hate. My prayers go to the victims and their families. And my thanks go to the courageous first responders on the scene who handled a very difficult situation.
— Senator Tina Smith (@SenTinaSmith) February 9, 2021

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Rep. Dean Phillips, a Democrat who represents the nearby west metro suburbs, tweeted that he was horrified by the reported violence.

“Targeting those who dedicate their lives to saving others is as heartbreaking as it is appalling,” he wrote. “Praying for the injured, their families, and our community.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said first responders from his city were sent to the scene to help.

There is an unspeakable depravity in doing harm to those who work to heal us. Those who have stepped up and risked their own health for ours.
Our first responders are on their way to the scene to help. Today Minneapolis stands with our neighbors in Buffalo.
— Mayor Jacob Frey (@MayorFrey) February 9, 2021

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Minnesota’s DFL party also issued a statement via Twitter, calling what happened an “attack on health care providers.”

Sen. Amy Klobuchar said on Twitter that she grew up not far from the area. She also released a full statement early Tuesday evening.

“I am deeply saddened by the violence that took place today at the Allina Health Clinic in Buffalo. I am grateful for our state’s first responders who bravely rushed patients to safety, risking their own lives to help others,” Klobuchar said. “As we continue to learn additional details about what happened, I join my fellow Minnesotans in praying for a full recovery for the victims.”

Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison posted a message to Twitter Tuesday evening, saying “Justice must and will be done.”

One person has now died from the horrific shooting at a clinic in Buffalo. These healthcare workers have been on the front lines serving their community during COVID; now they’ve undergone a direct, fatal attack just for doing their jobs. Justice must and will be done.
— Attorney General Keith Ellison (@AGEllison) February 10, 2021

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Law enforcement believe the attack was motivated by alleged grievances Urlich had with the clinic.

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