11-Year-Old Minneapolis Boy Dies After Being Shot in Broad Daylight at a Park

Investigators are seeking help from the public to bring justice to a Minneapolis family devastated by the death of their 11-year-old child in what they've called a "senseless" shooting.

In Minnesota, an 11-year-old boy was shot and killed on Monday afternoon, June 23, 2025. The shooting took place around 2 p.m. at Folwell Park, in North Minneapolis.

Amir Lamar Atkins' death was confirmed by Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara through a public information release shortly after the shooting. Atkins died from a gunshot wound to the head, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner.

Police initially responded to reports of shots fired in the vicinity of the park. According to witness reports, vehicles were seen driving through the area.

A nearby neighbor then heard cries for help and found Amir and two other men in front of his home. The boy had visibly life-threatening injuries.

The neighbor assisted in transporting Amir and one of the two men accompanying him towards emergency services. Four blocks away, at North Penn and Dowling, a police officer was flagged down for assistance.

The officer removed Atkins from the vehicle and started applying lifesaving measures, later joined by fire and EMS personnel. However, their efforts proved insufficient, and Atkins was pronounced dead at the scene.

The Minnesota Police Department's investigation into the shooting is ongoing. No suspects have been identified at this time. The police have urged the public to help, and are accepting anonymous tips via CrimeStoppers.

In the statement, Chief O'Hara said:

"I cannot emphasize enough how terrible it is to have an 11-year-old boy shot and killed in the middle of the day."

"We need anyone with information to come forward so we can bring some sense of justice to this child's family. We are following every lead, but we need the public's help to solve this," added O'Hara.

In a statement, the Atkins family said, "We are devastated to announce the passing of our precious Mir Mir, who left this world far too young at just 11 years old. Yesterday, in a moment of crisis, his older brother's love shone through as he carried Amir, seeking help."

"A compassionate stranger then stepped in to rush them to medical care, but despite their valiant efforts, Amir could not be saved," they continued. The family called the shooting "senseless."

They described Atkins as a "beacon of light" whose laughter filled their hearts. The statement accompanied a fundraiser, set up through GoFundMe to help the boy's mother and seven siblings with funeral costs and to seek new housing options.

The boy's uncle, Marvin Walker, expressed his grief in a series of Facebook posts. In a heartfelt post, Walker called Atkins his "baby boy." He expressed appreciation for the young people mourning his nephew but criticized overstatements of closeness to Atkins. Walker strongly denied that the 11-year-old had any gang involvement.

He wrote that Atkins "ain't no thug, no gangsta," but had simply gotten caught up with the wrong crowd. He urged others to take the boy's death as a wake-up call, adding, "This isn't a game… Amir, you will never be forgotten."

In a subsequent post, Walker pushed back against what he described as false narratives surrounding his nephew's death. Declaring, "My baby was murdered," he emphasized the deep personal bond they shared, calling him his "heart," "backbone," and "mini me."

He expressed sorrow over being unable to protect the boy and vowed to carry his memory forward, writing, "Your story just beginning [sic]." Our sincere condolences go out to the family at this time.

This tragic death comes amid a spate of shootings nationwide, including the case of 21-year-old Kelsey Strickland in Oklahoma, a mother of four who died days after being shot at her apartment complex.

Her death has not only prompted a criminal investigation but also sparked a wave of grief and heartfelt tributes from those closest to her.

In the early hours of June 11, officers were called to the scene of a shooting at a complex on State Highway 128, where they found 20-year-old Dylan McGee dead and Kelsey severely injured. Authorities transported her to a nearby hospital, where she remained in critical condition until her passing.

The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation confirmed her death and stated that no suspects were at large, but the exact events leading to the violence are still under review.

Both the Heavener Police Department and the Choctaw Nation Lighthorse Police Department are collaborating with the OSBI to determine what happened.

Following the shooting, Kelsey's family faced not only emotional devastation but also an outpouring of public misunderstanding.

Her younger sister, Brilynn Strickland, pleaded on social media for people to stop posting images of Kelsey alongside Dylan, expressing how deeply painful it was for the family to see him portrayed as a victim.

In a raw and emotional message, she wrote, "He just shot my sister in her face the last thing anyone of her family want to see is him in the same post or photo as her. So I sit here and beg not to make it look like he is a victim in this situation either he took his life and escaped reality from this situation [sic]."

A GoFundMe page was set up in the days following the shooting to help support the family. Organized by Karmyn Earley on behalf of Kelsey's stepmother, Courtney Strickland, the fundraiser highlighted Kelsey's role as a mother herself and the impact of the sudden tragedy.

It was also noted that Kelsey had been peacefully sleeping when the violence erupted, turning her world — and her children's — upside down.

The goal was to help with medical expenses, travel costs, and essential supplies for her children. As of this writing, the campaign has raised nearly $5,000 from dozens of donors hoping to ease the burden on a grieving family.

Amid the growing support, many loved ones also turned to social media to process their grief and celebrate Kelsey's memory.

Branden Bozarth, the father of one of her children, shared a moving tribute. He promised that their son would grow up knowing his mother not only by name but by the stories of her strength, humor, and love.

He also wrote that Kelsey's presence "made an impact that will never fade," and assured, "You'll always have a place in our hearts."

Another tribute came from Calen Davies, Kelsey's older sister, who admitted that she was struggling to accept the reality of her sister's death. She said she received the worst phone call of her life and described the heartache of seeing Kelsey in a hospital bed.

Calen also remembered her sister as a stubborn and determined fighter — traits that anyone who knew her would instantly recognize. Additionally, she wrote, "She was a mother, daughter, sister, friend, and cousin. Only 21, with four beautiful babies."

The loss was deeply personal for Danielle Porter, Kelsey's aunt, who expressed the emotional toll this had taken on their family.

"I see tragic stories and never think that Domestic Violence will hit this close to home. My heart aches for her babies who will never remember her voice or her wrapping her arms around them and the love she had for them," she wrote.

Additionally, Danielle expressed, "I know we are not meant to understand why things like this happens [sic] but my heart just feels so gripped with pain and confusion."

She finished her post with, "I could probably write a book but all this to say. I hurt! I’m sad, I’m mad, I’m confused and aggravated and my thoughts are all over the place. At the end of the day Kelsey was so strong and fought a hard battle. Please continue to lift up her babies and the family [sic]."

As the investigation continues, the family has been navigating not only the grief this tragedy brought but a changed future — one without Kelsey. We offer our condolences to them at this time.