On a bright spring day in Minneapolis, Minnesota, 9-year-old Trinity Rayne Ottoson-Smith was joyfully jumping on a trampoline in a friend's backyard during a birthday party. It was May 15, 2021, a day that would end in unimaginable tragedy. In an instant, the laughter of children was pierced by the sound of gunfire. A red Ford Fusion had driven down an alley in the 2200 block of Ilion Avenue North and someone inside opened fire, aiming at a residence.
Trinity, an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire of what investigators believe was a gang-related drive-by shooting, was struck by a stray bullet.
Trinity was rushed to North Memorial Health Hospital in Robbinsdale, where she fought for her life for 12 days. Her family and the community held vigils, praying for her recovery. Despite the efforts of medical staff, her injuries were too severe. On May 27, 2021, twelve days after the shooting, Trinity Rayne Ottoson-Smith died. Her death was the 33rd homicide in Minneapolis that year and one of three instances in a short span where a child was struck by gunfire in the city.
For nearly a year, no arrests were made in Trinity's case, leaving her family and the community searching for answers and justice. A break in the investigation came when an informant told police that 19-year-old D'Pree Shareef Robinson had admitted to being involved in a shootout with rival gang members on the day Trinity was shot. Investigators learned that Robinson had been making threats on social media to a rival gang member who lived at the home where the birthday party was being held. Cell phone records also placed Robinson in the area at the time of the shooting.
D'Pree Shareef Robinson was arrested and charged with second-degree murder. In March 2023, on the day his trial was set to begin, Robinson pleaded guilty to second-degree murder. He was later sentenced to 37.5 years in prison for his role in the death of Trinity Ottoson-Smith. During the sentencing, Trinity's father, Raishawn Smith, shared his heartbreak, stating, 'There's not a day that goes by that I don't think about her. There's not a day that goes by that I don't cry about her. That I don't pray that one day that I will see her again... I'd give anything to have my baby back'. The judge noted that the lengthy sentence was justified because the shooting was committed in the presence of children who were simply trying to enjoy a normal day.
