Minneapolis police announce arrest in shooting death of 11-year-old

Minneapolis Police announced Wednesday a 16-year-old has been arrested in connection with the shooting death of 11-year-old Amir Atkins.

The boy was killed last month at Folwell Park in north Minneapolis.

Police Chief Brian O’Hara said he’s hopeful the arrest “brings a sense of justice for Amir and his family.”

“I am incredibly grateful to the hard work of the investigators who worked to complete a thorough investigation of this heinous crime,” O’Hara said.

Police say the shooting occurred in the afternoon of June 23, when gunfire erupted in the park and the 11-year-old was shot and killed.

Community activists Princess Titus, right, and Toshira Garraway Allen, left, sit together during an emotional press conference at Folwell Park in Minneapolis on Wednesday, June 25. The event addressed the recent shooting death of an 11-year-old boy and called for urgent community action against gun violence.

Kerem Yücel | MPR News

His death caused an outcry among community members, who rallied against violent crime and called on the city to change the status quo.

 “At some point in time, we have to step up and say, let’s do something different,” Rev. Timmy Christopher said at a press conference on June 25.

Princess Titus, who lost her own son to gun violence in 2010, expressed frustration and anger at the press conference.

“Let me say this out loud. This is not normal. This is not acceptable, and this must not continue,” Titus said.

MPD said the 16-year-old was arrested on Tuesday and is in custody at the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center.