Minneapolis shooting: Teenager arrested in killing of 11-year-old boy

North Minneapolis residents react to 11-year-old?s shooting death

Community members spoke out Wednesday after an 11-year-old boy was shot and killed in north Minneapolis earlier this week. No arrests have been made.

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - A 16-year-old has been arrested in the June 23 fatal shooting of an 11-year-old boy at Folwell Park in Minneapolis.

Teenager arrested in boy's death

What they're saying:

A 16-year-old boy was arrested on Tuesday morning in Apple Valley in connection to the fatal shooting of Amir Atkins on June 23. The teenager was booked into the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center. 

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty released the following statement:

"Everything about this case is a tragedy, especially that an 11-year-old boy, Amir Atkins, is dead. This is a moment to grieve Amir’s death and to reassess absolutely everything about what system failures, including access to guns, led to an 11-year-old child dying under these circumstances. No matter what Amir was doing at the time, he was a young child. He deserved to live a full life. From the beginning, this has been a collaborative effort between HCAO prosecutors and the Minneapolis Police Department. We appreciate the work of the MPD investigators who jointly analyzed the evidence, including video from the park, to ensure that we reached an appropriate charging decision in this case."

Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara shared this statement following the teen's arrest:

"We recognize the unimaginable pain of parents, loved ones, and friends who have experienced tragedy from gun violence with irreversible outcomes. I value the difficult and dedicated work our investigators do in partnership with Hennepin County Attorneys in challenging cases like these. These are complex cases, and this work cannot be done without our community partners who continue to provide support to those who have been affected."

The backstory:

Amir Atkins, of Hopkins, was fatally shot at Folwell Park on Dowling Avenue North around 2 p.m. on June 23, 2025. 

Police say Amir Atkins was killed after gunfire erupted in the park. 

Minneapolis police say that prior to the gunshots on Monday afternoon, several cars were seen joyriding through Folwell Park. Amir Atkins was riding in one of them.

Witnesses on Morgan Avenue, a few blocks away, told FOX 9 that a Kia with bullet holes on both sides came to a stop on the street shortly after they’d heard the shots. A teenager got out, carried Amir down the street, pleading for help getting to a hospital. He was heard saying that Amir was his younger brother.

Authorities believe the shooting is related to vehicles that were driving around the park at the time.

Police said there was at least one shooter, though multiple people were present at the time it occurred.

After the shooting, activists called for change.