A Cambridge family continues to search for answers after a 17-year-old boy was caught in the crossfire in Minneapolis nearly a year ago.
Nicholas Enger was fatally struck by a stray bullet the morning of June 5, 2021 when he stopped to watch street racing on East Lake Street near Hiawatha.
Minneapolis police say people were “driving recklessly and spinning around in their cars causing damage to the roadway” when two of the drivers got into a dispute and bullets started flying. A bullet hit Enger. Officers attempted CPR, but he later died at a hospital.
Enger’s family will be holding a fundraiser Friday, March 4 from 3-11 p.m. at Pinewood Bar in Cambridge. All of the donations will go toward a reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of those responsible for Enger’s death.
“There’s people out there that know. This might be an incentive to step forward with information,” said Enger’s mom, Amanda Bolz. “I don’t know if they’re afraid or if it’s just extreme loyalty or whatever the case may be, but it’s still hard because Nicholas doesn’t get to carry on and live his life. The person that shot him and the people that know are able to continue and live their life and it’s not fair.”
The same weekend Enger was killed, another person was fatally struck by bullets in Minneapolis while watching street-racing activities. In total, Minneapolis recorded 96 homicides in 2021.
“A lot of criminals are getting away with things that normally they wouldn’t be,” said Bolz. “I think the laws could be tougher. I think the courts could be tougher. It starts at home. The value of life and respect for other people and respect for authority, we’re lacking that in a big way.”
Bolz said finding out who killed Enger would give the family a piece of closure.
“Hoping to send a message that I am not going anywhere. This is not okay. This kind of thing needs to stop,” Bolz said.
The family started a scholarship in honor of Enger through the Cambridge-Isanti Dollars for Scholars. They’re also participating in the Adopt-a-Highway program in his name.
A GoFundMe has also been started to support the family.
Pafoua Yang
Pafoua Yang is a reporter for Alpha News. She has worked as an on-air reporter for stations across the Twin Cities.
