Minnesota Teen Tragedy: Ghost Gun with Banned Trigger Leaves Friend Brain-Dead
A quiet Minneapolis suburb is shaken as a teen’s ‘ghost gun’ with a soon-to-be-banned binary trigger leaves his friend clinging to life. š #News #NewHopeMN #Minnesota #Crime
NEW HOPE, MN – The crisp autumn air hung heavy with an eerie silence, broken only by the distant wail of sirens. In a quiet Minneapolis neighborhood, where fallen leaves painted the sidewalks in hues of amber and crimson, an afternoon of teenage laughter had suddenly turned into a nightmare. Behind the closed doors of an ordinary suburban home, a tragic scene was unfolding ā one that would shatter lives and raise urgent questions about gun safety and regulation.
Tragedy Strikes Quiet Minneapolis Neighborhood
A recent incident in New Hope, Minnesota, has left a community reeling and a 17-year-old boy fighting for his life. The case involves two friends, a modified firearm, and a moment of carelessness that resulted in devastating consequences.
On September 18, around 1:30 pm, what began as playful banter between two 17-year-old friends took a horrific turn. According to witnesses, the teens were in high spirits, sharing laughs and jokes. Moments later, a gunshot rang out, forever altering the course of their young lives.
Ghost Gun with Binary Trigger at Center of Investigation
The weapon involved was no ordinary firearm. Investigators identified it as a “ghost gun” ā an unserialized, untraceable 9mm Polymer80 handgun, likely assembled from a kit. Adding to its lethality was a binary trigger mechanism, a device that fires one round when the trigger is pulled and another when it’s released.
Initially, the suspect claimed he had been awakened by the sound of his friend shooting himself. However, eyewitness accounts paint a different picture. They describe a scene of two teens engaged in lighthearted conversation, with no indication of the impending tragedy.
The gravity of the situation became apparent when first responders arrived to find the victim unresponsive on the couch. Despite immediate medical intervention, the outlook remains grim. At the time charges were filed, the victim showed no signs of brain activity and was being maintained on life support.
Forensic evidence, including bullet holes in the ceiling and floor, along with blood spatter patterns, led investigators to conclude that the suspect had discharged the weapon, striking his friend in the eye.
Legal Implications and Ongoing Debates
This incident has reignited debates surrounding gun safety and regulation, particularly concerning “ghost guns” and binary triggers. It’s worth noting that Minnesota recently passed legislation banning binary triggers, set to take effect on January 1, 2025. This law was partly influenced by a tragic incident in Burnsville earlier this year, where three first responders lost their lives to a shooter using a similar device.
The suspect now faces serious charges in juvenile court, including first-degree assault and possession of a machine gun.
As this heart-wrenching story unfolds, our thoughts turn to the families whose lives have been irrevocably changed. A community stands united in grief, grappling with the profound loss of youthful potential and the harsh realities of gun violence.
While debates on policy and regulation will undoubtedly continue, it is crucial that we never lose sight of the human cost at the center of this tragedy. May this somber event serve as a catalyst for meaningful dialogue, increased awareness, and a collective commitment to preventing such senseless loss in the future.
As New Hope and the surrounding areas begin the long process of healing, let us honor the victims by striving for a safer, more compassionate society for all our youth.
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