Randy John Burris Sr., a 34-year-old man from Minneapolis, Minnesota, tragically lost his life in a road rage incident on November 17, 2023. The incident occurred shortly before midnight on West River Parkway near the Franklin Avenue Bridge in Minneapolis. Burris, who was wearing a neck brace due to a recent vertebrae injury, was found by officers with gunshot wounds to his chest and abdomen.
The altercation began when Burris encountered a car driving the wrong way and blocking traffic
on the narrow West River Parkway. Burris exited his vehicle to advise the driver, later identified as Dhaha Hayi Hassan, to reverse. When Hassan refused, an argument ensued, which escalated to violence. Despite first responders' attempts to save his life, Burris succumbed to his injuries at the scene.
Burris, known by his Native American name 'Giti-gaan' meaning 'Garden,' was a member of the Bear Clan. His untimely death left a void in his community, with his obituary noting that he 'unexpectedly journeyed to the spirit world'. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that Burris died from multiple gunshot wounds.
The perpetrator, Dhaha Hayi Hassan, a 25-year-old man from New Brighton, was arrested at the scene. Officers found a Polymer 80 handgun without serial numbers in his waistband. Hassan was subsequently charged with second-degree murder and a felony firearm charge for possessing a gun without a serial number, also known as a 'ghost gun'. Following a trial in October 2024, Hassan was found guilty and sentenced to 13½ years, with expectations to serve about 8⅓ years in prison and the remainder on supervised release.
This tragic incident highlights the devastating consequences of road rage and illegal firearm possession, cutting short the life of Randy Burris and profoundly impacting both families involved and the broader Minneapolis community.
