In the Phillips neighborhood of Minneapolis, the evening of December 16, 2024, was shattered by gunfire that claimed the life of 17-year-old Myron Dale James Neadeau, a male of Anishinaabe descent. Around 7:15 p.m., while outside his home on the 1100 block of East 25th Street with a group of other people, shots rang out. Struck by multiple bullets, Myron ran back into his residence and collapsed.
Police officers responding to the scene attempted immediate medical care, including CPR and applying a chest seal, but their lifesaving efforts were unsuccessful. Myron was pronounced dead inside his home.
The loss of the teenager has deeply affected his family and the wider community. His aunt remembered him as a "shining light" with a beautiful perspective on how to persevere. He was described as a devoted brother, an avid gamer, and an eloquent speaker with a passion for sports and music, known for making rap music with his friends. Family members recalled his vibrant spirit, big heart, and a contagious sense of humor that could fill a room with laughter. He was also deeply connected to his cultural roots as a Woodland dancer in the powwow circle and had been on the drum since he was a young boy. Despite facing challenges, he remained positive and was determined to graduate high school the following year.
The community has been left to grieve what Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O'Hara called a "senseless act of gun violence." The Minneapolis American Indian Center released a statement mourning Myron's death, highlighting the disproportionate rates of violence that affect Native American communities and the way such tragedies shatter families and erode a sense of safety. A fundraiser was started online to help support the family with funeral expenses, and community members have shared their grief and tributes on social media.
As of late December, the investigation into the shooting is ongoing, and no arrests have been made. Homicide investigators are working to piece together the sequence of events that led to the fatal shooting. The Minneapolis Police Department has asked for the public's help, urging anyone with information about the incident or those responsible to come forward. In the midst of their grief, Myron's family hopes his story will serve as a reminder of the need for collective action to end the violence that took the life of a young man remembered as a vibrant and determined person.
