The Columbia Heights and Minneapolis communities have recently seen a surge in gun violence cases involving teens. According to gun-control advocacy group Everytown USA, approximately 200 minors have unintentionally shot themselves or someone else in the U.S. this year, causing 74 deaths and 128 injuries. These statistics highlight the rising number of accidental shootings involving minors and the ongoing frequency of these tragedies in our country.
As these shootings continue, they are also affecting Minnesotans locally. On November 5, a gun-related incident took place in Minneapolis, where a 14-year-old boy tragically shot his 13-year-old friend in an accidental shooting.
“I truly don’t understand how guns are so viable to obtain,” Taymoi Epps (12) said. “It’s mind-boggling, honestly.”The shooting was unintentional, but the loss of such a young life still raises serious concerns about gun safety and the presence of firearms in the hands of minors. This occurred just two weeks after a three-year-old died from a self-inflicted gunshot, also in Minneapolis. The young boy was critically hurt at the Hook and Ladder Apartments on Jefferson Street NE. Sadly, he passed away at Hennepin County Medical Care (HCMC) from his injuries shortly thereafter. This tragedy is part of a concerning trend of children five years old and younger incurring accidental gunshot wounds, as this age group is the second-highest affected age group as stated by the National Violent Death Reporting System.
Columbia Heights city council member Justice Spriggs issued a statement on a recent incident that occurred within city limits, which read, “On November 10, 2024, at approximately 8:37 P.M., the Columbia Heights Police Department, Coon Rapids Police Department, Fridley Police Department, Blaine Police Department, Spring Lake Park Police Department and Anoka County Sheriff’s Office responded to multiple reports of sounds of gunshots coming from Labelle Park in the City of Columbia Heights. Upon arrival, no victims or suspects were found at the scene. Shortly after law enforcement was notified of a gunshot victim who was located at a nearby hospital. A second victim was located at a residence in Columbia Heights and transported to a local hospital. Both individuals’ injuries are suspected to have occurred at Labelle Park. These recent events paint a picture of the growing gun violence in the Columbia Heights and Minneapolis area involving young people.”
As of the Heights Herald’s publication deadline, this case is still under investigation, as are shootings that have happened this fall in the surrounding areas of Blaine, Burnsville, Brooklyn Park and Bloomington—in addition to the several open gun-related incident investigations in Minneapolis, plus others in St. Paul.
“Hearing these cases involving children is sad to hear. Kids should be enjoying their childhood and not worrying about their lives being at risk,” Elvis Placencia (11) said. Changes to gun laws have been in effect, as a bill was recently passed this year stating that a gun must be unequipped and stored in a proper firearm storage unit. Despite the efforts of adding new laws
These shootings have been rising all over the U.S., but have become much more local over time. Numbers will continue to rise over time as the issue becomes complex. In some cases, the responsibility may lie with the parent or guardian for allowing the child to have access to the gun.
