Tragedy Near Folwell Park: 11-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot in North Minneapolis, Community Demands Action Amid Rising Youth Violence

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A heartbreaking tragedy unfolded on Monday afternoon in North Minneapolis, as an 11-year-old boy was shot and killed near Folwell Park, sending a wave of grief and fury throughout a community already struggling under the weight of rising youth violence, car thefts, and gun-related crimes.

According to the Minneapolis Police Department, officers were called to the scene around 4:15 p.m. following reports of gunfire near Dowling and Knox Avenues North, just steps from Folwell Park — a place where children typically gather to play, skateboard, or ride bikes on warm summer afternoons.

When officers arrived, they found the child with critical gunshot wounds. Lifesaving measures were performed at the scene before the boy was transported to North Memorial Health Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead. Authorities have not yet publicly identified the young victim, but family members and local residents say he was a sweet, joyful child — known for his big smile and love for basketball.

An Innocent Life Lost

“He was just a kid,” said one heartbroken neighbor, who watched in disbelief as first responders rushed to save the boy. “He should’ve been laughing with his friends in the park, not dying in the street.”

Details remain under investigation, but initial reports suggest the shooting may have been connected to ongoing disputes involving juveniles and stolen vehicles, a growing crisis in Minneapolis that law enforcement and city leaders have been scrambling to contain. While police have not confirmed whether the victim was the intended target, or simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, what is clear is that a young life has been cut short by senseless violence.

Witnesses told reporters that a group of young people had been gathered in the area just minutes before the gunfire erupted. Surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses is currently being reviewed by police as they try to piece together what led to the deadly shooting.

A City in Mourning

The killing of an 11-year-old has left the North Minneapolis community shattered. Folwell Park, once a place of neighborhood joy, is now the site of a growing memorial. On Monday night, dozens of residents gathered at the park for a candlelight vigil. Balloons, flowers, and handwritten notes lined the sidewalk as parents clutched their children tightly and community leaders called for immediate action.

“This is not just a tragedy. It’s a crisis,” said a local pastor. “We are burying our children. We are mourning in schools, in parks, in homes, and in churches. And it has to stop.”

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey called the incident “heartbreaking and unacceptable,” promising more resources for violence prevention and a coordinated push to target the underlying causes of youth crime. “No child should ever face this fate,” he said in a statement. “And no parent should ever have to bury their son because of a gun on our streets.”

A Pattern of Youth Violence

The tragedy has once again spotlighted a troubling trend in the city: a surge in crimes involving young offenders and stolen vehicles, many of them tied to social media-fueled car theft rings and escalating feuds. Community advocates warn that without deeper investments in youth intervention, mentorship, and mental health resources, the cycle of violence will continue — and more lives will be lost.

“We’re not just failing to protect our children,” said one local youth organizer. “We’re failing to provide them with alternatives to this chaos. They’re growing up in survival mode.”

City data shows that reports of car theft and juvenile-related gun incidents have been on the rise over the past two years, with many minors being recruited into criminal activity or caught in the crossfire of disputes they barely understand.

Seeking Justice, Demanding Change

As of Tuesday morning, no arrests had been made. Police are asking anyone with information — especially residents or businesses near the scene — to come forward. Tipsters can remain anonymous.

The family of the slain boy, devastated and pleading for privacy, is asking the public for prayers, support, and — most of all — justice.

In the coming days, local schools will provide grief counselors for students affected by the tragedy. Community centers are planning healing circles, and neighborhood watch groups are stepping up patrols near parks and gathering spots.

But for many in North Minneapolis, this moment feels all too familiar — another name added to a growing list of youth lost to violence. And while the city mourns, it also calls out — not just for answers, but for real, lasting change.

“He was only 11. He had his whole life ahead of him,” said one grieving teacher. “And now, we’re lighting candles for a child who should’ve been lighting up the world.”