Minneapolis police announced Wednesday that they have arrested a 16-year-old male for the murder of 11-year-old Amir Lamar Atkins.
The 16-year-old, who wasn’t identified by name, was arrested Tuesday just after 9 a.m. in Apple Valley. Police said he was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center.
Atkins was shot in the head while at Folwell Park just after 2 p.m. on June 23. Police have indicated that cars were driving through the park when the shooting occurred. According to the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), a resident who was on his porch heard cries for help and placed Atkins in his car and began driving to the hospital.
“On the way, he flagged down an officer near Penn and Dowling Avenues,” said an MPD statement. “The officer immediately removed the boy from the vehicle and initiated lifesaving efforts. Despite efforts by police, fire, and EMS personnel, the boy was pronounced dead at the scene.”
During a June press conference, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara declined to say if Atkins was caught in the crossfire or if he was the intended target. Additionally, he wouldn’t say if it was connected to gang activity.
“We have had a problem for sometime with stolen cars and juveniles in stolen cars, you know, driving through the park and driving reckless in general,” he said.
In a statement on Wednesday, O’Hara said he is “hopeful that this arrest brings a sense of justice for Amir and his family.”
Anthony Gockowski
Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.
