In a Minneapolis apartment on the evening of April 15, 2022, a tragic incident unfolded that ended the life of 10-year-old Amare Rasaun Mayberry-Campbell. The young Black / African American boy was in the apartment with his 12-year-old brother when the older sibling discovered a handgun. The boys were alone and unsupervised at the time. Amare, a resident of Andover, suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the chest.
Emergency services were called to the apartment on Hennepin Avenue at
approximately 11:35 p.m. First responders found Amare with a life-threatening injury and immediately began administering medical aid, including CPR, before he was rushed to a nearby hospital. Despite their efforts, he succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead at 11:51 p.m. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office later confirmed the cause of death as a gunshot wound.
The investigation into Amare's death revealed a heart-wrenching family story. The 12-year-old brother, who was described as hysterical after the incident, told investigators that he had found the gun under a pillow in his father's bedroom. He explained that as he was carrying the firearm into the living room, it slipped from his grasp. In the process of trying to catch the falling weapon, he accidentally pulled the trigger, firing the shot that struck and killed his younger brother.
In the aftermath of the shooting, the focus of the investigation turned to the boys' father, 31-year-old Brandon L. Mayberry. During a search of his apartment, law enforcement discovered a total of eight firearms, several of which were loaded. Subsequently, a warrant was issued for his arrest, and he was charged with second-degree manslaughter in connection with his son's death. The charges stemmed from his failure to secure the firearm, which allowed his children to gain access to the deadly weapon. The case highlighted the critical importance of safe gun storage in homes where children are present.
