Boy, 11, killed in Minneapolis park shooting

An 11-year-old boy was killed Monday afternoon after gunfire erupted at Folwell Park on the city’s north side.

Responders were initially notified that the shooting occurred at the park but that the injured party had been transported to a location nearby, according to dispatch audio.

Medical responders found the victim at Dowling and Penn avenues, but indicated that police were already on site with the victim, who was deceased.

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara held a press briefing a short time later and also released a statement describing that a good Samaritan had heard the screams following the shots and loaded the boy into his own vehicle and began driving toward the hospital. The good Samaritan waved down a Minneapolis police lieutenant, who began performing CPR on the boy.

Statement from MPD:

At approximately 2:08 p.m., Fourth Precinct officers responded to a report of gunfire at Folwell Park on Dowling Avenue North.

Preliminary information indicates gunfire erupted within the park. Witnesses reported seeing a vehicle driving through the park and two other vehicles moving through the adjacent parking lot at the time of the shooting.

Shortly afterward, a resident sitting on his porch near Morgan Avenue North and Dowling Avenue North heard cries for help. He discovered the boy suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound, along with two other males, outside his home. The resident placed the child and one of the males into his vehicle and began driving toward the hospital. On the way, he flagged down an officer near Penn and Dowling Avenues. The officer immediately removed the boy from the vehicle and initiated lifesaving efforts. Despite efforts by police, fire, and EMS personnel, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Minneapolis Police Department is actively investigating the circumstances surrounding the shooting.

“I cannot emphasize enough how terrible it is to have an 11-year-old boy shot and killed in the middle of the day,” said Chief O’Hara. “We need anyone with information to come forward so we can bring some sense of justice to this child’s family. We are following every lead, but we need the public’s help to solve this.”

Chief O’Hara reiterated during the press conference that Minneapolis is experiencing problems with juveniles and stolen vehicles, and indicated that vehicles were driving through the park at the time and were connected to the shooting. The chief said that juveniles have repeatedly been known to drive through the park and engage in reckless driving.

No arrests had been made at the time, but the police chief said many witnesses and other people were present at the park at the time.

The Hennepin County Medical Examiner will release the name of the child and cause of death.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Minneapolis Police Department by email [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 612-673-5845. Those wishing to remain anonymous can contact CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477) or submit tips online at www.CrimeStoppersMN.org. All tips to CrimeStoppers are anonymous, and information leading to an arrest and conviction may qualify for a financial reward.

– – –

Minnesota Crime Watch & Information publishes news, info and commentary about crime, public safety and livability issues in Minneapolis, the Twin Cities and Greater Minnesota.

The post Boy, 11, killed in Minneapolis park shooting appeared first on Alpha News MN.