16-year-old boy fatally shot on Midtown Greenway in dispute over backpack, family says

Twin Cities News 16-year-old boy fatally shot on Midtown Greenway in dispute over backpack, family says By WCCO Staff, John Lauritsen John Lauritsen Reporter John Lauritsen is an Emmy Award and Edward R. Murrow Regional Award-winning reporter from Montevideo, Minn. He joined WCCO-TV in late July 2007. Read Full Bio John Lauritsen Updated on: October 9, 2026 / 5:18 PM CDT / CBS Minnesota Add CBS News on Google Minneapolis police say "a young male" was killed in a shooting Wednesday night just west of Interstate 35W near the Midtown Greenway.Officers were called to the area of East Lake Street and Stevens Avenue around 8:40 p.m., where police say they found the victim "lying dead on the ground."Reverend Tommy Russell says his 16-year-old great-nephew was the individual who was shot.  WCCO "Preliminary information indicates that two males were observed leaving the area," police said."The best information we've gotten so far is that there was some sort of dispute over some belongings. A backpack, or something that was in the backpack that was of value," Russell said.Russell says his family is grieving their loss but also urging young people to put the guns down and learn to communicate.He believes parents and community leaders can do a better job of helping to end gun violence in Minneapolis, and he's asking those responsible for Wednesday's shooting to turn themselves in. "Whoever is involved, please contact law enforcement. They know who you are. People who were there already identified who you are," Russell said. "I'm asking and pleading for the sake of our family that you turn yourself in to the authorities because they are going to find you, because they know who you are."He is asking parents to know where their teenagers are, who they're with and to work with police to cut down on crime."Putting at risk, the public at large," he said. "Because their delinquent behavior. That's why I say, where are the parents?"No arrests have been made and police are asking for anyone with information on this case to submit tips via email at [email protected], or call 612-673-5845. Tips can also be submitted anonymously online with Crime Stoppers, or call 1-800-222-TIPS (8477). In: Shooting Minneapolis Featured Local Savings One dead, another injured in shooting incident at Detroit grocery store Man hurt by bullets fired into Minneapolis home, police say 18-year-old man dead from gunshot wound in Detroit's east side, police say Minneapolis shooting victim shows up at Edina hospital, police say Woman charged in Minneapolis nightclub mass shooting that injured 9 Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to nominate Interim Chief Bill Peterson as city's next police chief Sterling Heights police seek information over fatal shooting near 15 Mile Road Customer shot and killed inside Boston gas station, police search for suspect