8-Year-Old Boy Fatally Shot By Father While Attempting To Shield His Mother From Bullet

An 8-year-old boy died after authorities say that his father shot him during an altercation at a home in Minnesota earlier this month.

On June 5, officers with the Burnsville Police Department were called to the home just prior to midnight. When they got to the scene, authorities discovered an eight-year-old boy and an adult male suspect both suffering from gunshot injuries. They were taken to a medical facility where the child was pronounced deceased.

Cherish Edwards, the child’s mother, posted online that her son, Amir Harden, had been killed by his father, Danair Harden, 30. She wrote that her son was attempting to protect her as he tried to take the gun from his father. She thinks his father was attempting to kill her.

Later, hospital officials noted that Danair Harden was in critical condition after sustaining a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Although investigators think that the shots were fired during the incident inside the residence, they don’t believe that the child was the intended target.

Danair Harden had been apprehended for supposedly assaulting Edwards on May 30. He posted bail, and just a few days later, he violated a court order to have no contact with Ms. Edwards. The shooting occurred at that time.

Documents show that Danair Harden is said to have choked Edwards when she attempted to end their 10-year relationship at the end of May. She disclosed to authorities that he had been abusive before, and she was scared for her safety.

Edwards added that four of Amir’s siblings saw the shooting.

Charges may be pending if Harden survives.

An investigation is continuing.