A thin tree is weighed down by balloons and other memorials near the spot where Tim Jackson was fatally injured Saturday morning. The memorial has slowly grown over the weekend.
Jackson, 17, was a senior at Minneapolis South High School and had just been accepted to Haskell Indian Nations University in Kansas, relatives say.
"He's like a brother to everybody," says friend Henry Bruguier, Jr. "He's one of our warriors."
Minneapolis Police were responding to a robbery call near Hiawatha Ave. S. and 28th St. E. at 1:40 a.m. Saturday. That's near the Midtown Greenway, a popular path used by many bicyclists. Officers found Jackson seriously injured on the street. Family members say he had been stabbed and died en route to the hospital.
Police are investigating if the robbery call is connected to Jackson's death. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner has not yet released the cause of death.
"It's been real tough for all of us and I'm still trying to be strong for my family right now," says Anthony Jackson, Tim's older brother. "We didn't want to believe it. My mom kept looking outside [Sunday] just waiting for him to ride up on a bike."
Relatives believe Jackson was alone when he was attacked. It's unclear what he was doing in the area, although his brother thinks Tim might've been heading to his dad's place, which is in the area.
As of Sunday night, Minneapolis Police Sgt. William Palmer was not aware of any arrests in the case. Anyone with information can call Minneapolis Police at 612-692-TIPS (8477).
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