Four children aged 11 to 14, driving a stolen car, were shot and injured in Minneapolis. One of them is in critical condition. The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. Sunday, with the assailant firing at the vehicle as they pursued it, according to the police.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara reported the incident took place in northwest Minneapolis, triggering multiple ShotSpotter gunfire detections and 911 calls. The victims included two boys and two girls. The 11-year-old boy driving the stolen car was detained. One girl was critically injured with a head wound and is in stable condition at Hennepin Medical Center. The other three sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
The identities of the victims have not been disclosed.
Chief O’Hara expressed outrage at the incident, stating, “Four kids shot between 11 and 14 is outrageous, and everyone should be up in arms over it. The police are doing everything we can, but we can’t keep responding after the fact.”
The shooter, who targeted the stolen white Kia, remains at large, and the motive is still under investigation.
O’Hara detailed the preliminary investigation revealed five minors were in the stolen car when a dark-coloured sedan started following them and firing automatic gunfire. Around 30 shell casings were found at the scene, with more likely inside the suspect’s vehicle.
The 11-year-old driver, who was not injured, was detained but later released to his parents. Two of the juveniles had been arrested for stealing a vehicle less than two weeks ago.
O’Hara commented on the difficulty in deterring such behaviour, stating, “We are failing to deter this behaviour, and we are failing these kids as well.”
The Minneapolis shooting coincides with a recent rise in thefts of Kias and Hyundais, despite a decrease over the past year. O’Hara noted juveniles involved in these thefts are engaging in increasingly serious crimes, including aggravated assaults, robberies, and hit-and-runs.
He highlighted the concerning trend of escalating boldness among these perpetrators, stating, “It just shows really brazen, callous behaviour. They don’t care about their own lives, let alone the lives of other people.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
What happened in Minneapolis involving four children?
Four children were shot while driving a stolen car. One is critically wounded.
When did the shooting in Minneapolis occur?
The shooting happened around 1 a.m. Sunday in northwest Minneapolis.
Who is the Minneapolis Police Chief commenting on the incident?
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara commented on the incident.
What is the condition of the critically wounded child?
The girl shot in the head is in critical but stable condition.
Has the shooter in the Minneapolis incident been caught?
No, the assailant has not been caught or identified.
