Two children wounded in their own homes during overnight shootings in Minneapolis, St. Paul

Two young children were wounded by gunfire this weekend when unknown assailants fired into their homes during separate overnight shootings in Minneapolis and St. Paul.

Just before midnight on New Year's Eve, St. Paul police were called to a home on the 700 block of Sherburne Avenue on a report of a shooting. Officers located a 10-year-old boy with a gunshot wound to the stomach, according to St. Paul police Sgt. Mike Ernster. Paramedics took the child to Regions Hospital. As of Monday evening, he was listed in critical but stable condition and was expected to survive.

Preliminary information suggests someone from outside the house intended to fire into it, Ernster said. It marked one of at least three overnight shootings in the capital city, which left two others wounded and killed a man in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood.

"These are cowardly acts by selfish people, and we will find those responsible," St. Paul Police Chief Axel Henry said following the first homicide of 2024.

Across town, on Minneapolis' North Side, police responded to the 2300 block of Bryant Avenue N. around 12:10 a.m. Monday, where they found an 11-year-old girl suffering from a noncritical gunshot wound. Investigators believe she was in her bedroom when she was struck by an errant bullet from outside the house. Officers rendered aid before transporting her to HCMC.

"We all need to be outraged that a child in our city can be struck by a bullet through her bedroom window," said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara. "I was at the scene with the initial responding officers as soon as the call came in, and I was extremely relieved that her physical injury was not worse. I can assure you that our investigators are working hard to identify the person responsible for this senseless act."

There have been no arrests in either case so far.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). Tips may be submitted electronically at www.CrimeStoppersMN.org.

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