May 2, 2004: A party, 12 shots; four fall, one dies

Dawn Johnson was watching a TV movie Friday night, but the real drama was unfolding outside her home in Minneapolis' Near North neighborhood.

Shortly after midnight, she heard "lots of commotion" outside on the 1200 block of Knox Avenue N.

Her first thought was, "Here we go again."

On the past two weekends, Johnson said, many youngsters, some as young as 12, have congregated at a house in the middle of the block. Neighbors said a teenage girl who recently moved to the two-story stucco house with her mother, who is often absent, has thrown several parties characterized by drinking, smoking and loud music.

Johnson, who lives with her husband and daughters, ages 2 and 7, was among neighborhood residents Saturday who said that as many as 200 youths attended Friday night's party.

Just after midnight, an argument broke out on the street in front of the house, and gunshots rang out.

Four people were shot and taken to Hennepin County Medical Center, where one died, said police Lt. Gregory Reinhardt.

The Hennepin County medical examiner identified him as Christopher Little, 18.

Three people - a man, a woman and a teenage boy - remained hospitalized Saturday evening with non-life-threatening injuries. Their names were not released.

Community leaders suspect that the shooting was gang-related. No one had been arrested by Saturday evening, Reinhardt said. He said investigators will interview witnesses to find out what led to the shooting.

Reinhardt said he could not confirm neighbors' report of a party because by the time police arrived, many people had fled. About 40 people were milling around when police arrived, he said. No weapons were found.

"Our homicide investigation is concentrated on finding out who did this and bringing them to justice," Reinhardt said. "And that means looking at what led up to the shooting and if it is tied to another event."

Johnson called 911 after hearing at least 12 gunshots, she said. Then she stepped out onto her porch to find out what was happening. She saw Little get shot and fall on the sidewalk in front of her house.

"They were falling on my car and all over my yard," Johnson said as she talked over the incident with two neighbors on Saturday. "Some girls were crying and screaming, `He's dead!' There must have been 200 kids out there," she said, pointing to the bloodstained sidewalk where Little was shot.

Sharon Wesson, another neighbor, said the shootings did not surprise her. Wesson, who has lived in her rented home for 20 months, said she frequently has heard gunfire since the loud parties started three weeks ago, about the time the new neighbors moved in. She said she fears for her safety and that of her children, who range in age from 3 to 17.

"I might have to ask my landlord to move me," said Wesson, who was sleeping when the trouble broke out. "Officers came, and I told them me and my kids were safe. But the officer made me check" that the children were OK, she said.

Area rebounding

Aside from one shooting in the area last year, neighbors said the 1200 block of Knox Av. N. has been largely trouble-free.

Several homes on the street had freshly cut lawns Saturday, and the neighborhood is being revitalized with new homes, including one under construction next door to Johnson.

Still, the incident has shaken those who live on the block, who said they are determined not to let crime overtake their street.

"Yes, I fear for my safety," Johnson said. "My brother was killed a few years ago. I feel I need to help."

`A deep sense of hurt'

At a news conference Saturday at The City Inc., where Little was a student, community leaders, clergy members, police and City Council members called for an end to violence in the community and for parents to spend more time with their children and to take responsibility for them.

"All of us are grieved. All of us are numb with a deep sense of hurt for our community," said the Rev. Ian Bethel, co-chairman of the Police Department's Community Relations Council.

"We also think now of the families dealing with death of somebody under 20 years old. It makes no sense. We are praying for you."