In the early hours of Sunday morning, a tragic shooting incident in Minneapolis left four children injured, with one in critical condition. The incident occurred around 1 a.m. when Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara received reports of multiple ShotSpotter activations on the 1200 block of West Broadway Avenue. Simultaneously, a 911 call came in reporting a vehicle with multiple individuals shot inside on the 1400 block of Plymouth Avenue North.
Upon arrival at the scene, officers discovered five children inside the car, four of whom had sustained gunshot wounds. The injured children, two boys and two girls aged between 11 and 14 years old, were swiftly transported to Hennepin County Medical Center for treatment. Initially, it was reported that the fifth child, who was unharmed, was arrested after it was discovered that the car they were in was stolen. However, it was later clarified that the child was actually 11 years old and was released to their parents shortly after being detained on the scene.
Due to state statute limitations regarding the age of the juveniles involved, charges will not be considered against the five children. In Minnesota, children under the age of 14 are generally considered incapable of committing a crime under the law. Three of the injured children sustained non-life-threatening injuries, while one of the girls was shot in the head and remains in critical but stable condition.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the group of children was driving a stolen Kia when they were pursued by an individual in a dark-colored sedan who opened fire on them with fully automatic gunfire. Approximately 30 pieces of ballistic evidence were recovered from the scene, indicating a significant amount of gunfire. The shooter responsible for the incident has not yet been apprehended.
Chief O’Hara highlighted the concerning trend of juveniles engaging in criminal activities, particularly involving stolen vehicles. He noted a decrease in thefts of Kias and Hyundais this year but expressed alarm at the escalation of violent crimes associated with these thefts. O’Hara emphasized the need for more effective deterrence measures to prevent such incidents from occurring in the first place.
The Chief’s remarks underscored the urgent need for stronger consequences for juveniles involved in criminal activities, including vehicle thefts. He emphasized the importance of addressing the root causes of such behavior to prevent further incidents like the recent shooting. O’Hara’s call for community action and support to address juvenile crime and prevent future tragedies serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by law enforcement in tackling these complex issues.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, authorities are working tirelessly to identify and apprehend the perpetrator responsible for injuring the four children. The incident serves as a sobering reminder of the impact of juvenile crime on communities and the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address and prevent such incidents in the future.