Hours before killing son in Burnsville, man was arrested for domestic assault and released on bond, court docs state
A Burnsville family is dealing with unspeakable tragedy after the deadly shooting of an 8-year-old boy.
Cherish Edwards says her son, Amir Harden, was shot last week trying to protect her from his violent father. Harden died over the weekend.
New court documents show within 24 hours of the shooting, Harden’s father was booked on domestic assault charges and released on bond.
Edwards says Harden’s father was trying to shoot her but he accidentally shot his son instead.
“[Harden] wanted to protect his mommy,” Edwards said. “It’s just unimaginable, an 8-year-old trying to wrestle the gun out of a grown man’s hand. It’s unbearable pain.”
Edwards says she told Harden to run outside, but he wouldn’t leave her.
“He tried to kill me. And he aimed for me, somehow missed, and my child got the bullet instead,” she said.
After the shooting, she says Harden’s father turned the gun on himself while her four other children watching. He’s in the hospital in critical condition. Burnsville police are investigating what happened, and a city spokesperson said Wednesday that criminal charges will be considered if Harden’s father lives.
