MINNEAPOLIS, MN – A shocking incident in Minneapolis left four minors, aged 11 to 14, injured after a vicious gunfire attack on a vehicle the juveniles were driving. The vehicle was reportedly stolen, and an 11-year-old boy was at the wheel when the incident occurred in the northwest part of the city around 1 a.m. on Sunday, according to Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara.
The children wound up in a hail of gunfire, resulting in injuries to two boys and two girls. One of the girls remains in critical but stable condition at Hennepin Medical Center following a gunshot wound to the head. Non-life-threatening injuries were reported for the three other juveniles.
In condemning this act of violence, Chief O’Hara stated, “Four kids shot between the ages of 11 and 14 is outrageous and everyone should be up in arms over it.”
The car shooter remains at large, with their identity still unknown. Early investigations suggest that a dark-colored sedan trailed the stolen white Kia before letting loose “fully automatic gunfire” at the car. The shooting was noted by ShotSpotter detectors and resulted in multiple 911 calls.
Detectives found around 30 shell casings at the crime scene and continue to investigate the motive for the assault. The 11-year-old driver was detained at the scene but later released into the custody of his parents.
Incidents of auto theft in Minneapolis involving Kias and Hyundais were on the rise this month, following a drop last year, noted Chief O’Hara. He voiced concern over the escalating risk of violent crimes associated with such thefts, admitting that juveniles increasingly engage in reckless activity.