On a late summer afternoon in Minneapolis, tragedy struck on August 31, 2020. Omar Kenyatta Cotrell Berkley, a 30-year-old Black / African American man from St. Paul, was in the 2900 block of Oliver Avenue North when he was fatally shot. The incident occurred around 4:24 p.m., a time when the day was still bright, shattering the neighborhood's calm.
Callers to 911 reported finding Berkley lying on the grass near the curb with a gunshot wound to his head.
Witnesses at the scene described seeing a smaller, dark-colored SUV speeding away from the area immediately following the shooting. When police officers arrived, they administered aid to Berkley before he was rushed by medics to North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale. Despite the efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries shortly after his arrival at the hospital. The Hennepin County medical examiner's office later confirmed his identity and officially ruled his death a homicide caused by the gunshot wound.
In the wake of his death, Omar Berkley was remembered as a man with a kind heart who was deeply dedicated to his family, particularly his children. He was known for his jovial nature, always joking and making family and friends laugh. His passing marked the 56th homicide in Minneapolis that year. As of now, the investigation into his murder remains ongoing. Authorities have not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the case, leaving a community and a grieving family waiting for justice.
