Community members seek solutions for children and crime in Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS — Citizen groups are looking for solutions after Four children were shot in a stolen vehicle in north Minneapolis over the weekend.

Police say the children, two boys and two girls, were between the ages of 11 and 14. One of them is in critical condition. The shooting early Sunday morning underscores what Minneapolis police say is an ongoing cycle of children, stolen cars and crime.

Leaders of the Agape movement, based in south Minneapolis, are frustrated by this cycle.

“My first reaction when [we] “When I woke up and saw the news, it was like, 'Oh no, not again,'” said Bridgette Stewart, communications director for the Agape Movement.[Those kids] suffer life-changing consequences due to gunshot wounds.”

WCCO has reached out to Minneapolis police, who say there have been no additional arrests but the investigation is ongoing. Police say two of the five minors in the car were arrested less than two weeks ago.

“If we fail to stop this behavior, we are failing these children,” said Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara.

The Agape movement hopes that they can make a small contribution to the change.

“So that we could see the rawness, the real emotions that came from [O’Hara] when he said we are letting our children down,” Stewart said. “It takes a village to stop the killings, and that village is everyone.”

“We have to energize them. I am myself, I am what I needed when I was young, so I literally play basketball with them,” says Marquise Bowie, social worker at Agape Movement.

The Agape Movement hosts regular activities for children in Minneapolis where group leaders can begin to build relationships and trust.

“Everyone has a role to play. These children belong to all of us, and once they leave home, they become our children, and we all have to have a vested interest in our youth,” Stewart said.

O'Hara said problems like this will continue until children face the consequences.

On Monday, the Hennepin County Attorney objected.

“None of the children shot in a stolen car over the weekend were referred to our office by police for early intervention in youth auto theft,” said Mary Moriarty. “We encourage MPD to partner with us to ensure youth have access to early and effective interventions.”