Four Children Injured in Stolen Car Shooting in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A shocking incident in Minneapolis over the weekend left four children injured when they were shot while riding in a stolen Kia. The children, aged 11 to 14, were targeted by an assailant in a dark-colored sedan who opened fire with an automatic weapon. Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara condemned the attack as “brazen” and “outrageous,” highlighting the critical condition of one child who sustained a bullet wound to the head. As of Monday, no arrests had been made in connection with the shooting, although the police confirmed that the 11-year-old driver of the stolen vehicle was detained and later released to his parents. O'Hara noted that the incident reflects a troubling trend of escalating violence among youth involved in car thefts, with more serious crimes being committed by those engaged in such activities. He emphasized the need for preventative measures to deter this behavior. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty called for the Minneapolis Police Department to refer more children to intervention programs aimed at addressing auto theft. She pointed out that none of the injured children had been referred to such programs, despite the rising number of young offenders. Community leaders, including Pastor Brian Herron of Zion Baptist Church, expressed their devastation over the violence and called for a collective effort to address the root causes affecting troubled families. The incident has sparked discussions about the urgent need for community intervention and support to prevent further violence among youth in Minneapolis.