In the heart of Minneapolis, a life was tragically cut short on the morning of September 22, 2022. Brenell Michael Green, a 24-year-old Black male, was fatally wounded in a shooting that unfolded near the intersection of Groveland and Nicollet Avenues. The incident, which took place just before 9:30 a.m., sent shockwaves through the community as another young life was lost to gun violence.
Brenell, who had moved to Minnesota from Baton Rouge seeking new opportunities, was a dedicated father to his young son.
According to police reports, the initial gunshots rang out near the intersection, prompting a swift response from the 5th Precinct. Brenell, having been struck by the gunfire, ran from the scene before collapsing at the nearby intersection of East 19th Street and First Avenue. Despite the efforts of a concerned citizen who attempted to perform chest compressions before paramedics arrived, his injuries were too severe. He was rushed to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead from a gunshot wound to the torso.
The investigation into Brenell’s death quickly pointed to a suspect, Darius Dontay Sharp, also 24 years old. Surveillance footage from a convenience store near the scene of the shooting played a crucial role in identifying him. Investigators learned that the shooting may have stemmed from an earlier altercation in which Sharp had been beaten inside the store. This allegedly led to a series of retaliatory shootings, culminating in the one that claimed Brenell’s life. Sharp was subsequently arrested and charged with second-degree unpremeditated murder in connection with Brenell's death, as well as two counts of first-degree attempted murder for other related shootings.
Brenell Michael Green was remembered as a sweet and kind individual who was always willing to help others. He is survived by his father, his girlfriend, and his son, leaving behind a family and a community to mourn his untimely passing.
