Police: 1 Child Dead, 1 Hurt In North Minneapolis Shooting
MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A 2-year-old child has been killed by gunfire in North Minneapolis. Another 15-month-old child was injured in what police say was a gunfight between people who know each other.
It happened at about 11:30 a.m. Friday near Penn and Lowry Avenues in north Minneapolis.
When police arrived at the scene, they were notified that the children had been driven to North Memorial Medical Center. That's where the 2-year-old died.
Friday afternoon, about 100 people gathered at the intersection of the shooting for a vigil to support the mother of the two children. The vigil included community leaders as well as crisis counselors.
Police say the gunfire was exchanged between two groups of people who knew each other. The intersection where it took place is one of the busiest in north Minneapolis.
Investigators spent several hours looking through a van that sustained damage from heavy gunfire. That van was the vehicle that transported the two children to the hospital before one of them died.
"About eight investigators were here canvassing the area, speaking with witnesses," Corey Schmidt with the Minneapolis Police Department said. "We're also currently looking at video that's in the area. We had our K-9 units out in the area looking for evidence. This is an ongoing investigation that's going to develop over the next couple of days."
Authorities say the shooting was not random. It was between two groups of people who knew each other.
Minneapolis Mayor Betsy Hodges went to the hospital after learning of the shooting. She released a statement Friday afternoon.
"No mother, no family, no community, no neighborhood, no city should ever — ever — have to face the death of a child by gun violence. I am beyond sick of it, and I know that I am not the only one," Hodges said.
Anyone with information about the incident should call the Minneapolis Police Department.
Minneapolis Police Chief Janee Harteau issued a statement Friday after the incident.
"We have witnessed yet another tragic and senseless death at the hands of gun violence; it's a scenario our city and others across this country see too often, especially recently. The MPD is conducting a very aggressive investigation which has been productive thus far. We have 8 investigators working around the clock and they will not leave any stones unturned. We will be relentless in holding the person (s) responsible for this horrific act accountable. You will see more uniformed officers and enforcement efforts in areas where we've witnessed recent violence," Harteau said.
The medical examiner will release the victim's identity, but police did not say when.