Family mourns 14-year-old St. Paul boy killed in Burnsville apartment shooting
Fourteen-year-old Demetrius, a St. Paul resident, was shot and killed Monday inside a unit at the Burnsville Glen Apartments while visiting, authorities said. His family — including an adult sister who said he "grew up fast" and needed more time — is mourning and calling for answers as the community posts social-media memorials and demands accountability in the ongoing investigation.
📌 Key Facts
- The victim is identified as 14-year-old Demetrius of St. Paul, who was fatally shot in Burnsville.
- The shooting occurred at the Burnsville Glen Apartments; reporting notes he had been visiting/ staying there and was not a random bystander.
- The family is from St. Paul; coverage discusses how far the apartment is from his home and how the family learned of the shooting.
- Reporting includes a detailed family perspective: his adult sister said he "grew up fast" and needed more time, and describes his life, school situation and struggles.
- The community and family are grieving, with social-media memorials and public calls for answers and accountability as the investigation continues.
📊 Relevant Data
In Minnesota in 2023, Black individuals, who make up 8.2% of the population, accounted for approximately 61.5% of known homicide offenders, resulting in a per capita homicide offending rate of about 37.6 per 100,000 compared to 1.33 per 100,000 for White individuals.
2023 Minnesota Uniform Crime Report — Minnesota Department of Public Safety
Poverty is a powerful predictor of violent crime, with economic hardship contributing to higher rates of gun violence in Black communities.
The Link Between Gun Violence and Economic Hardship in Black Communities — Center for Economic and Policy Research
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Identifies the victim by name as 14-year-old Demetrius (per article; exact full name in piece) from St. Paul.
- Includes detailed family perspective, with his adult sister describing how he 'grew up fast' and needed more time, painting a fuller picture of his life, school situation and struggles.
- Clarifies that he was visiting or staying at the Burnsville Glen Apartments, not a random bystander, and discusses how far he was from home and how the family learned of the shooting.
- Adds context on grief and community reaction, including social-media memorials and calls from family for answers and accountability in the investigation.