6-year-old girl shot while riding bike in Minneapolis

A 6-year-old girl is recovering in the hospital after she was caught in the crossfire of a shootout Monday evening near East Phillips Park in Minneapolis.

Officers from the Minneapolis Police Department and Minneapolis Park Police responded to a report of shots fired around 5:16 p.m. near the intersection of 18th Avenue South and 24th Street East, MPD spokesman Officer Garrett Parten said.

A 6-year-old victim was found shot, and officers and medics gave her first aid before taking her to Hennepin County Medical Center. Her injuries are believed to be non-life-threatening, Parten said.

5 EYEWITNESS NEWS spoke to the girl’s family on Tuesday. They were shaken up by the shooting. The child’s father explained that while she’s recovering from her physical injuries, there are emotional wounds that will have to heal as well.

Minneapolis Community Safety Commissioner Dr. Cedric Alexander visited the family along with several Minneapolis Police officers on Tuesday afternoon. Alexander did not offer a comment on the violence.

There were parents and kids in the wading pool and tot lot area at the time of the shooting, according to a Minneapolis Parks and Recreation Board spokesperson. Other kids were playing board games with park staff on the back patio of the community center.

East Phillips Park is a gathering place for the community. 

“Basketball or playing soccer or playing here at the pool,” said Alex Puma, who lives nearby. He visited the park with his brothers on Tuesday. “It’s pretty packed usually. Today, it’s pretty empty.”

The shooting scene is visible from the playground.

“It’s pretty scary, especially for families,” said Puma.

The news was particularly upsetting for activist K.G. Wilson, whose 6-year-old granddaughter Aniya Allen was shot and killed in 2021.

“I feel it in my chest and it hurts and it anguishes me they had to go through this,” he said. “It has not stopped, the shooting has not stopped and so I’m saddened by it and I’m angry about it — that people know who these people are that’s doing these shootings.”

He urged anyone with information to come forward to help find those responsible.

“If they know something, they need to say something,” said Wilson. “I continue to warn and beg and plead with them that their children could be next.”

He also offered support to the 6-year-old girl who was injured on Monday.

“I would say to this family and the other families to hang in there, stay prayerful,” said Wilson.

Investigators say two men were shooting at each other across 24th Street, and the girl was hit while riding by on her bicycle.

No other injuries were reported, and at least one vehicle was hit.

Police say no arrests have been made.

Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 800-222-8477 or submit an anonymous tip online.