Minneapolis Boy, 11, Dies in Older Brother’s Arms After Being Shot in Broad Daylight at Park

Family members say that Amir Akins, 11, died in his brother’s arms as they were rushed to the hospital by a good Samaritan.

Summer started off on a somber note in the city of Minneapolis after a young boy was shot dead in a public park.

The incident occurred on June 23, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara, who announced that the victim was an 11-year-old boy at a press conference and in a news release that same day.

The victim has been tentatively identified by the county medical examiner as 11-year-old Amir Atkins. A GoFundMe campaign created to help his mother with funeral expenses.

O’Hara said that gunfire could be heard shortly after 2 p.m. in the park and a short time later a man sitting on his porch “heard cries from help.”

That man then saw Amir had suffered life-threatening injuries and “placed the child and one of the males into his vehicle and began driving toward the hospital,” O’Hara said.

After seeing a member of law enforcement along the way, the man stopped and life-saving measures were attempted, but it was too late.

“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 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.” 

In their post, the family said that Amir’s brother carried him while looking for help after the shooting and later held him in the car as they rushed to the hospital.

“Amir was a beacon of light in our lives – a joyful, loving child whose laughter filled our hearts,” wrote the boy’s uncle. “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 circumstances and urges anyone with information to reach out.