Family Identifies Boy Killed In North Minneapolis Shooting As London Bean, 12
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- A 12-year-old boy was killed in a shooting in north Minneapolis Wednesday afternoon, becoming the third young victim of deadly gun violence in the city in the past four months.
Police say officers reported to a "chaotic scene" at about 3:40 p.m. on the 800 block of Aldrich Avenue North near Sumner Field Park. Investigators think the shooter, who fled the scene by vehicle, was also a child.
The victim's grandmother told WCCO Wednesday evening that his name is London Bean, and he had just started sixth grade. He was pronounced dead at an area hospital about two hours after the shooting.
Neighbors who witnessed the deadly encounter told WCCO that two kids were fighting, and one of their older brothers fired a gun. Police have not confirmed this detail.
MPD Spokesperson Garrett Parten described the shooting as a neighborhood dispute that turned violent.
"This is a bit shocking. In the middle of a sunny afternoon on an early fall day with school just getting into, in swing," Parten said. "We have those who have no respect for the sanctity of life."
A witness said she heard three or four shots fired. At least two of those bullets hit a blue SUV nearby which had a teenage girl inside. She is said to be shaken up, but OK.
Police say "strong headway has been made on this case already," with several neighbors and eyewitnesses coming forward to be interviewed. Investigators are also reviewing security footage from the area. This is the 62nd homicide of the year in Minneapolis.
Community outreach groups like A Mother's Love and We Push For Peace were on scene to offer comfort to the families.
"You can't even describe what this feeling is. I mean, how many times do we have to see you guys here? Do we have to see a community in mourning? How many times do we have to see that before it becomes our priority?" said Lisa Clemons, founder and director of A Mother's Love. "There's other victims that come with this, and I think a lot of people forget that. A community is victimized as well."
A GoFundMe page has been set up to help the family cover funeral costs. On the page, a relative described Bean as energetic and positive child. "London did not deserve this at all," the organizer wrote.
This marks the third time since the spring that a child was fatally shot in Minneapolis. One other child was shot in late April, and is still fighting for his life. No arrests have been made so far in the first three cases.
Ladavionne Garrett Jr., 10, is still hospitalized after he was shot in the head on April 30. He was struck while riding in the back of his family's car on the way to his grandmother's house.
Trinity Ottoson-Smith, 9, was shot in the head on May 15 while jumping on a trampoline at a birthday party. She died 12 days later.
Two days after Ottoson-Smith was shot, 6-year-old Aniya Allen -- granddaughter of longtime Minneapolis community activist KG Wilson -- was shot while on a trip to McDonald's in her family's car. She died two days later.