A student in Stewartville, Minnesota, was left critically injured after a man opened fire in a high school parking lot early Friday morning before fatally shooting himself, authorities said.
Deputies responded to reports of gunfire at Stewartville High School at about 5 a.m. local time on Friday, Dec. 12, Olmsted County Sheriff Kevin Torgerson said during a press conference.
Investigators said two people were shot in the parking lot, near a bus that was preparing to take the school’s wrestling team to a meet. About 40 team members were on the bus and heard two gunshots, Torgerson said.
“One of the teammates was walking in the parking lot when a gunshot was heard by others,” Torgerson said. “As students were looking around to see what happened, they heard a second shot.”
Coaches then found a male teenager on the ground suffering from a gunshot wound, Torgerson said. The student was taken by ambulance to a nearby hospital and rushed into surgery. Family members later told investigators that the teen was in critical but stable condition as of Friday afternoon.
A second person — an adult man — was also found on the ground with what authorities believe was a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Torgerson said. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
After the incident, students were reunited with their families, and school counselors and other staff were brought in to support those impacted.
Press Conference: Stewartville High School Incident (December 12, 2025)
Torgerson called the shooting “very rare” for the community and acknowledged how widely the incident has affected students, staff and first responders.
“Our condolences go out to everyone here behind me that they represent. Sorry, it’s emotional. This incident has impacted far more than just the families involved, obviously… This will be a difficult time moving forward,” he said.
Authorities said they remain in contact with both families as the investigation continues.
Several Minnesota lawmakers, including State Sen. Carla Nelson, issued statements after the shooting. Nelson told CBS News that what happened at Stewartville High School was “tragic.”
“My prayers are especially with the student who is fighting through surgery, with their family, and with the families, classmates, coaches, and teachers as they grieve from this unimaginable shock and pain,” Nelson said. “I am grateful to law enforcement and first responders for acting quickly. May we all hold this community and everyone involved in our strongest prayers.”
