Minneapolis Man's Heroic Dash: Racing Church Shooting Victims to Safety Amidst Chaos

In the heart of north Minneapolis, a Saturday evening descended into terror as gunshots shattered the peace around the Pentecostal Church of God in Christ. Amidst the terrifying chaos, one man, Oscar Lee, emerged as an unlikely beacon of courage, transforming his routine drive into a desperate race against time to save lives.

Lee, a 56-year-old resident, recounted the harrowing moments with stark clarity. He was near the church when the deafening sound of gunfire erupted, followed by screams and a stampede of terrified people fleeing the sacred building. "I heard a lot of gunshots," Lee shared, his voice still carrying the weight of that night. "People were just running. Women, kids, everybody was just running."

Without a moment's hesitation, Lee swerved his car, pulling it around to face the unfolding disaster. What he saw next propelled him into action: two women, gravely injured, desperately needed help. One had a gunshot wound to her arm, the other a more critical injury to her chest and side. "I just knew that these people needed to be taken to the hospital," Lee explained, a simple statement that belied the immense bravery of his decision.

He gently, yet urgently, helped the bleeding women into the backseat of his car. The scene inside his vehicle was a microcosm of the larger tragedy — fear, pain, and the desperate hope for survival. Lee, remarkably, maintained a calm demeanor, his focus solely on getting them medical attention. He called 911, staying on the line, relaying their critical condition as he sped towards North Memorial Health Hospital.

The journey was a blur of urgency and raw human vulnerability. "They were screaming and crying. And I tried to console them as much as I possibly could," Lee remembered. His steady presence, a voice of reason amidst the terror, offered a small comfort to the wounded women. He didn't just drive; he cared, he consoled, he became their immediate lifeline.

Upon arrival at the hospital, the frantic energy continued as medical staff quickly took over. Lee then faced the police, recounting his extraordinary role in the unfolding tragedy. Authorities confirmed the grim reality: three people had been shot, with one person succumbing to their injuries, and two others wounded.

Bishop Harding Smith, the pastor of the church, later described the incident as a "tragic day," a sentiment echoed across the shocked community. But amidst the sorrow, Oscar Lee's actions stood out as a powerful testament to the human spirit. He saw suffering and acted, driven by a profound sense of duty. "It was just a humanitarian act that I felt like I needed to do," he reflected. "I wasn't thinking, I just was doing."

Lee's only regret was that he couldn't do more for the woman who tragically lost her life. His story is a poignant reminder that even in the darkest moments, extraordinary courage can shine through, turning an ordinary citizen into an unexpected hero in a community grappling with violence.