Duluth Shooting Incident: Children Playing Nearby When Violence Erupted

My Daughters Were Playing Volleyball in Duluth’s Norton Park — Minutes Later, Gunshots Rang Out Where They Stood

Police recovered a firearm during a traffic stop on I-35 after the incident.

September 16, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on September 16, 2026

On Saturday, September 13, Duluth police responded to a shooting in the Norton Park neighborhood near South 72nd Avenue West, just minutes after local children were playing volleyball in a nearby field.

The incident 29-year-old Jordan Thomas and his 22-year-old brother, Jaden Thomas, who became involved in a physical altercation with two men, ages 21 and 23.

During the fight, Jordan Thomas discharged a firearm before fleeing the scene with his brother.

Officers later conducted a traffic stop on I-35 and recovered a pistol, which Jaden Thomas claimed as his own. Both brothers were arrested without incident and booked at the St. Louis County Jail.

Jordan faces charges of second-degree assault with a dangerous weapon and felony possession of a firearm.

Jaden faces charges of aiding and abetting second-degree assault, carrying a weapon without a permit, and carrying a pistol while under the influence.

The Duluth Police Department says the investigation remains active.

Neighbors described the frightening scene and stressed how close the violence came to local children.

One resident, Raquel, recounted the events from her own perspective.

She said her daughters had been playing volleyball in the field behind a basketball hoop just minutes before the altercation.

According to Raquel, the conflict originated elsewhere and quickly escalated when the individuals involved arrived in her neighborhood.

“I’m grateful my girls followed their instincts and went inside,” Raquel said.

“Moments later, we heard the shots—pop, pop, pop! It was terrifying.”

She described seeing the brothers behaving aggressively on another property and noted that the incident felt deliberate, not a spontaneous fight.

She described the incident as a deliberate act of aggression rather than a spontaneous dispute and urged the community to increase vigilance and discuss safety measures for local play areas.

Authorities confirm that all four men involved knew each other, and they continue to investigate the motive and full sequence of events.

Police are asking anyone with information, video footage, or eyewitness accounts to come forward as the case progresses.

The incident has left local families shaken, highlighting the importance of maintaining safe public spaces where children can play without fear.

Investigators continue to work closely with prosecutors to determine the next steps in the case.

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