By In a tragic incident that occurred in Burnsville, Minnesota, 8-year-old Amir Harden was fatally shot while attempting to shield his mother from a bullet allegedly fired by his father, Danair Harden, who had been released from jail just days earlier after being charged with domestic assault.
According to the Hennepin County medical examiner’s office, as reported by the Star Tribune, Amir died on Sunday at a hospital after sustaining gunshot wounds to his head and neck during the shooting last week. The incident took place a little before midnight on Wednesday in the family’s home, with four other young children present at the scene, as reported by ABC 5, citing police.
Amir’s mother, who identified herself as Cherish Edwards, shared on a GoFundMe page that her son “tried wrestling the gun out of” the suspect’s hand and was accidentally shot while the suspect attempted to shoot and kill her. Edwards wrote that when she screamed for Amir to leave, the child refused, saying, “Mommy, I’m not leaving you here.”
The suspect, identified as 30-year-old Danair Harden by the Star Tribune and Fox 9, remains in the hospital in critical condition, as reported by CBS News. According to the Star Tribune, Danair allegedly attacked Edwards just days after being released from jail, where he had been held on assault charges against her stemming from an alleged incident on May 30.
Burnsville authorities have stated that if Danair survives, they will consider filing criminal charges against him, per CBS News. Meanwhile, Amir is being remembered by his family as a courageous “protector” and a “leader” who was his mother’s “biggest cheerleader.”
Edwards expressed her grief, saying, “We’re finally free of [Danair], but my child paid the ultimate sacrifice. My children, all of them, I feel so bad for them. They are traumatized. It’s going to take years, if it ever goes away.”
The tragedy highlights the devastating impact of domestic violence on families and the incredible bravery of a young boy who sacrificed his life to protect his mother. As the family mourns the loss of Amir, they have set up a GoFundMe page to help with moving expenses and therapy for Edwards’ other children who witnessed the traumatic event.
Credit: People
