Duluth Police arrest 17-year-old for Saturday night shooting

Duluth Police Officers responded to the report of a shooting at approximately 9:23pm Saturday night.

Upon arrival at the area of N 16th Ave E and E 1st St, officers located an individual who was shot. Mayo Ambulance transported the person to a local hospital.

At approximately 1:46 am, officers arrested a 17-year-old male without incident. The juvenile was transported to Arrowhead Juvenile Center for homicide.

The individual who was shot died from injuries related to the shooting. He was 17 years old. The Duluth Police Department’s thoughts and prayers go out to the victim’s loved ones.

Duluth Police Chief Mike Tusken released the following statement:

“Last night, gunfire took the life of a teenager who was less than 3 months from their 18th birthday and another teenager, less than 5 months from their 18th birthday is being held in custody.

Tragically, the course of these teens lives are irreparably impacted in a moment.

Our hearts ache and we extend our thoughts and prayers to the family and friends who must bear the burden of having loved and lost a teenager.

As we gather facts and grapple with trying to make sense of the senseless, questions come to mind, questions we need to consider and answer.

Why do our teenagers have guns and why are they being used to resolve conflict? What conversations are we having with our teenagers about guns? Do our teenagers know that they can come to us to share information if they have guns or know others who have guns and shouldn’t?

Do parents know they can provide information to law enforcement anonymously? What more do we as a community need to be doing to prevent the next tragedy?

In the past month, teenagers have been involved three separate incidents where guns were used in violence. That’s three too many and we don’t want another.

In Minnesota, a minor under age 18 generally may not possess a pistol or assault weapon, except under the supervision of a parent or guardian. Other exceptions include: while engaged in an official military drill; during supervised practice at an approved shooting range; and while participating in a state-approved marksmanship or safety program.

Talk to your teens, our teens, about guns and about safety. Make sure teens know our expectations that if another teen is carrying or possessing guns illegally to stay clear and report it. Say something for safety, say something to save a life.”

No further information has been released at this time as it is an active and ongoing investigation.