On June 23, 2023, 13-year-old Zain Hussein Mezher of Moorhead, Minnesota, tragically died from a single gunshot wound. The incident occurred around 6 p.m. in a wooded area near the 1000 block of 19th Street South, close to Romkey Park. Zain was with a group of juveniles who had acquired a handgun and were handling it when it discharged, fatally striking him.
First responders attempted life-saving measures, but Zain was pronounced dead at the scene.
The Moorhead Police Department recovered the handgun and initiated an investigation, with assistance from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the Clay County Attorney's Office. Authorities interviewed the individual responsible for the shooting, but no arrests were immediately made. The Clay County Attorney's Office will determine whether charges are appropriate upon conclusion of the investigation.
The Moorhead Police described the incident as a tragic accident and extended their sympathies to Zain's family and friends. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist the Mezher family with funeral expenses, reflecting the community's support during this difficult time. The circumstances surrounding how the group obtained the handgun remain under investigation.
