On Wednesday, June 5, in an attempt to protect his mother from his abusive, violent father, Amir Harden stepped between the two and was shot in the head and neck. The 8-year-old boy was transported to a nearby hospital in Minneapolis, Minn., where he died on Sunday due to his injuries, according to FOX 9.
Just days before the shooting, Amir’s father Danair Harden was charged with domestic assault against Cherish Edwards, Amir’s mother. The charges stemmed from a May incident in which he allegedly tried to strangle her during an argument about the two ending their decade-long relationship after she told him that she was seeing other people. At the time, he was released on $4,000 bond.
Shortly after Amir was shot, Danair turned the gun on himself, in an unsuccessful suicide attempt. He is still being treated for his wounds at a Minneapolis-area hospital, according to FOX 9.
Edwards has since created a GoFundMe campaign, where she shared the tragic last words her son said to her before he was shot.
The GoFundMe reads:
Hi, my name is Cherish & I am raising money for moving expenses & bills. My 8 year old Amir Harden lost his life tragically on 06/05. His father tried to shoot & kill me but my son was shot instead. Amir tried wrestling the gun out of his father hand. I screamed for him to leave and go to the neighbors , he refused & said “mommy, im not leaving you here” . His father shot himself in the head after accidentally shooting amir. His 4 siblings witnessed this tragic event. My kids are traumatized & probably will need therapy for the rest of their lives . Thank you to anyone who donates.
In an interview with 5 EYEWITNESS NEWS, Edwards shared more details about her deceased son. “He was a leader, he was really protective of his siblings,” she said. “Real athletic, real energetic. He was a special kid.”
Police are still investigating the incident. If Danair surives, criminal charges will be considered.