A quiet summer afternoon turned tragic when an 11-year-old boy was fatally shot in a Minneapolis park, leaving the community in shock and prompting urgent pleas for justice from law enforcement. The shooting occurred shortly after 2 p.m. on June 23 in a local park, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
The victim has been tentatively identified by the county medical examiner as Amir Atkins. A GoFundMe campaign has been launched to assist his grieving mother with funeral expenses. Chief O’Hara detailed the harrowing moments following the gunfire.
A nearby resident, sitting on his porch, heard cries for help and discovered Amir suffering from life-threatening injuries. Without hesitation, the man rushed the boy and another individual into his vehicle, speeding toward the hospital. En route, he spotted a law enforcement officer and stopped to seek emergency aid. Despite life-saving attempts, Amir succumbed to his injuries.
“I cannot emphasize enough how terrible it is to have an 11-year-old boy shot and killed in the middle of the day,” O’Hara said during a press conference. “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.”
According to the family’s GoFundMe post, Amir’s brother carried him while desperately searching for help after the shooting and cradled him in the car as they raced toward medical assistance.
In a heartbreaking tribute, Amir’s uncle described the boy as a radiant presence in their lives. “Amir was a beacon of light in our lives—a joyful, loving child whose laughter filled our hearts,” he wrote. “He had a unique spark that touched everyone he met, and his absence leaves a void that can never be filled.”
The Minneapolis Police Department is actively investigating the shooting, urging witnesses or anyone with information to come forward. As the city grapples with another senseless act of gun violence, community leaders and residents are calling for action to prevent further tragedies.
Amir’s death marks yet another devastating loss in a year already marred by youth gun violence. Vigils and memorials are being planned as Minneapolis mourns a young life cut tragically short.