Murder victim Nizzel Anthony George
MINNEAPOLIS--Cornelius George and other family members packed into a room at the Hennepin County Government Center to learn his beloved son, five-year-old Nizzel George, died at the hands of two teenagers.
Stephon Shannon, 17, is charged with one count of first degree murder. He will be tried as an adult. Another teen, just 15-years-old, faces one count of first degree murder. He remains unnamed while prosecutors file paperwork to try him as an adult as well.
According to a criminal complaint witnesses heard several gunshots ring out and saw two people running from the scene after the shooting. Another witness saw two people in front of 4515 Bryant Avenue pull out handguns and shoot into the house.
Little Nizzel was sleeping on the couch in the house with three other children when a bullet hit him in the back. He later died at the hospital.
A witness told police Shannon admitted he shot into the house. Shannon said he was sitting on a porch at 4501 Camden Avenue the night before when some unknown individuals shot up his house. The 17-year-old said he was angry and believed the people who shot at him lived in the house on Bryant Avenue.
Two days after the shooting Shannon and his co-defendant were seen leaving a hotel and arrested. Both teens deny being on the scene.
During questioning Shannon berated officers for failing to solve the 2011 murder of his brother, Juwon Osborne, according to the criminal complaint. He told officers if he knew who killed Juwon he would not tell police and take care of it himself.
Shannon told a witness that he was sorry about the baby and that he made peace with God, according to the complaint.
Those words mean nothing to Cornelius George who lost his only son. He's begging for all violence in the community to cease.
"Put the weapons down, go to school, get an education, learn become something, become somebody cause kids with guns and gangs only got two choices, they're dead or in jail for the rest of their life," George said.
Nizzel George's funeral will be held July 3.
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