A mother continues to pray for justice after 3-year-old son killed by stray bullet in 2011

The Minneapolis Police Department will investigate a tip that was reported over the weekend in the homicide case of 3-year-old Terrell Mayes Junior from back in 2011.

It’s one of many tips over the last almost nine years that the homicide unit will look into as they work to solve the crime, police said.

"Every other case gets the same amount of treatment as we would for Terrell, but Terrell just being a young man who was playing in his house with his brothers, hits every detective’s heart up here a little more,” said Lt. Richard Zimmerman, Minneapolis Police Homicide Unit.

It was the day after Christmas in 2011, Terrell was playing inside the family home located on the 2600 block of Colfax Avenue North in Minneapolis when gunfire erupted outside.

A bullet went into the home and struck Terrell, the 3-year-old later died at the hospital.

The shooter remains on the loose, according to authorities, who also said no one in the home was the target; it was a random crime.

"This Christmas I’m just begging on bended knee, let’s get together and put this behind us, nine years is too long for someone to be running from taking a three-year old’s life," said Marsha Mayes, Terrell’s mother.

Terrell’s name and the date of the shooting 12-26-11 are painted on the sidewalk next to a memorial for the child.

Marsha said she often comes back to the neighborhood and tends to the memorial.

"It’s hard to stay strong and keep your feet to the ground,” Marsha said. “When on the inside… you’re really, really broken."

Justice is what Terrell’s mother said she prays for each and every day.

"I see other people get their justice, I’ll be happy for them, like …’Yes lord you did it’ … but then in the back of my mind, I’ll be like dang, Jesus, don’t question you,’ but where is mine, when is my boy going to get justice," Marsha said.

If you have any information about Terrell’s case, you can remain anonymous, by calling Crime Stoppers of Minnesota, at 800-222-8477 or submit a tip online. A reward remains available.