Buffalo community marks 1-year observance of deadly clinic shooting

(KSTP) – Buffalo community members are coming together Wednesday to support each other and honor the victims on the one-year anniversary of a fatal shooting at Allina Health Clinic.

Gregory Ulrich is accused of walking into the clinic and opening fire, and also setting off two explosives.

The attack killed medical assistant Lindsay Overbay, and injured four other people.

A moment of silence will be held at 11 a.m. Wednesday, and community members are encouraged to wear purple as a sign of support for the Allina Health Clinic – Buffalo Crossroads team.

Tuesday night, the clinic and hospital were lit up in purple from 4 p.m. – 11 p.m., and will be purple again during those hours on Wednesday.

Community members are also invited to send messages of support to the staff of Allina Health Clinic – Buffalo Crossroads at this address.

Allina Health issued the following statement Wednesday morning to mark the one-year observance of the shooting.

It is hard to believe that Feb. 9 marks one year since the violent event at Allina Health Clinic – Buffalo Crossroads. This senseless tragedy took Lindsay Overbay from her family, resulted in injuries to four of our team members and deeply affected our Buffalo Crossroads team. Over the past year, all those impacted have experienced deep grief and trauma. There has also been an outpouring of love and support, time and space for reflection, and for many, renewed resilience and strength.

Buffalo Crossroads clinic is our family. The Buffalo community is our family. Allina Health is our family. We have reopened the doors at Allina Health Clinic – Buffalo Crossroads to continue caring for the community that has cared for us. We are grateful for the support we have received from the Buffalo community, our health care partners and communities across the state. On behalf of the Allina Health family, our sincere gratitude for standing with us and for each heartfelt social media post, prayer and gesture of support.

Lisa Shannon, President and CEO of Allina Health

According to the criminal complaint, police were called to Allina Clinic Crossroads at 10:54 a.m. on the morning of Feb. 9, 2021 on the report of an active shooting.

Minutes later, Ulrich called county dispatch and said he would surrender himself to officers. Officers approached the building using a squad car as a shield and found Ulrich lying down with his arms out. When officers searched Ulrich, they found a firearm and ammunition.

Responding officers found five victims inside the clinic who suffered gunshot wounds during a search of the building. All of the victims were taken to hospitals in the Twin Cities. One victim, identified as Overbay, died while at Hennepin County Medical Center.

During the search, officers also found two instances of damage to the building that were consistent with explosions. An undetonated improvised explosive device was also found in the building, according to the complaint.

Further investigation revealed Ulrich entered the clinic where he was met by staff. Ulrich then pulled out a handgun and began threatening clinic staff.

The complaint says the first two victims were shot in the reception area. After shooting the first two victims, Ulrich entered the interior of the clinic, where he shot the other three. According to the complaint, the fourth victim who was shot was hit six times by bullets.

Investigators were also able to confirm that Ulrich detonated two improvised explosive devices while in the clinic.

A search of Ulrich’s phone revealed video a message made by Ulrich that “alluded to the incident at the clinic,” according to the complaint.

Court and police records show Ulrich had made threats against the clinic in the past.