BROOKLYN PARK, MN — A second 17-year-old has been arrested in Illinois in connection with the fatal shooting of a 16-year-old at Hartkopf Park in Brooklyn Park earlier this month. U.S. Marshals took the teen into custody Wednesday in Peoria, and police said he is awaiting extradition to Minnesota.
The shooting happened the night of July 5 at the Twin Cities park. Brooklyn Park police said about 50 people were there when the teenager was killed.
Arrest in Peoria
Authorities said the latest arrest follows an earlier case against another 17-year-old, who was charged days after the shooting with a weapons violation. Police have not said what led investigators to the Illinois arrest, but the teen is now being held while the process of bringing him back to Minnesota moves forward.
Charging documents against the first teen said multiple witnesses identified him as the shooter and described him as a gang member.
Park was crowded
Brian Turk, who lives near the park, said the area is usually quiet after dark, except around the Fourth of July. He said he was going to bed around 10 p.m. when he noticed people near the gazebo shelter and heard fireworks going off.
Turk said he later saw flashing lights after 11 p.m. when he woke up.
Case remains open
Brooklyn Park police have not released additional details about the shooting or said whether more arrests are expected. The case centers on a deadly July 5 gathering at a neighborhood park that drew a large crowd and ended with a teenager’s death.
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