On June 5, 2024, in Burnsville, Minnesota, 8-year-old Amir Demarion Harden was fatally shot while attempting to protect his mother, Cherish Edwards, during a domestic altercation. According to Edwards, Amir's father, Danair Harden, aimed a firearm at her with the intent to kill. In a courageous effort, Amir tried to wrestle the gun from his father's hand. Despite his mother's pleas for him to seek safety, Amir refused, stating, 'Mommy, I'm not leaving you here.'
Tragically, during the struggle, Amir was shot in the head and neck. Following this, Danair Harden shot himself in the head in an apparent suicide attempt.
Emergency responders arrived at the family's residence on Echo Park Court to find both Amir and his father critically injured. They were transported to Hennepin County Medical Center, where Amir succumbed to his injuries on June 9. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office ruled his death a homicide due to complications from the gunshot wounds. At the time of the incident, Amir's four siblings were present and witnessed the traumatic event. Authorities have indicated that Amir was not the intended target of the shooting.
Earlier on the day of the shooting, Danair Harden had been released from jail after posting bail for charges related to a previous domestic assault against Edwards on May 30. Despite prosecutors' requests for a higher bail and a no-contact order, he was freed on a $4,000 bail. Hours later, he violated the court's no-contact order, leading to the fatal confrontation. As of the latest reports, Danair Harden remains hospitalized in critical condition. Authorities have stated that criminal charges will be considered if he survives.
Amir was remembered as a bright and courageous child, known for his infectious smile and kind heart. He was a second grader at Echo Park Elementary School, where he was recognized as a leader and protector of his siblings. In the wake of his death, a GoFundMe campaign was established to assist the family with moving expenses and to support Amir's siblings, who are expected to require long-term therapy due to the trauma they experienced.
This tragic incident underscores the devastating impact of domestic violence and highlights the importance of seeking help and intervention in such situations. Resources like the National Domestic Violence Hotline are available for those in need of assistance.
