MINNEAPOLIS - Near 35th and Knox in North Minneapolis Monday night, Joan McMillan and her boyfriend Richard Persund were just sitting down to dinner with her four young children when gunfire interrupted.
Outside three people, a woman and two men were shot, injured in a drive-by shooting.
McMillan and Persund were the first to respond.
"When I had her in my arms holding her, she was just crying, why does this have to happen," said Persund of the woman who was injured.
Others are asking the same thing.
"We need to think outside the box and we need to do that right now," said Pastor Harding Smith.
Smith, with the Spiritual Church of God in Brooklyn Center, along with other North Minneapolis area pastors will be meeting with Minneapolis Police Wednesday.
Smith believes police need to do more, especially after Monday night's triple shooting and the death of 3-year old Terrell Mayes Junior last month.
He was hit by a stray bullet in his North Minneapolis home.
"We want our police officers to be able to engage the neighborhoods," he said.
Sergeant Stephen McCarty with Minneapolis Police says they've increased patrols in North Minneapolis and have reached out to community members, but he admits everyone needs to do more.
"The police and congregations and the community have to work together to keep the neighborhoods safe," said McCarty.
No argument from those who witness the violence.
"It really needs to start at your own home, in your own home, in your house, in your neighborhood and people connecting with each other," said McMillan.
All three victims in the Monday's shooting are expected to survive, according to a family member.
The woman, 19-year old Chareese Caldwell has already been released from the hospital. Cousins, Demaron Mix and Michael Mix Jr. remain hospitalized.
The father of one of the men tells KARE 11 the three were targeted, but mistaken for someone else.
Police don't believe the public is in danger.
"At this time we don't believe anyone else is in jeopardy," said Sgt. McCarty.
Investigators are still looking for the shooter in the death of 3-year old Terrell Mayes Junior. A reward has been offered.
(Copyright 2012 by KARE. All Rights Reserved.)