A Minnesota boy was shot to death last week while trying to protect his mother from his abusive dad, police said.
Amir Harden, 8, was shot in the head and neck on June 5 as he intervened to stop Danair Harden from shooting Cherish Edwards.
The woman had just been assaulted just days earlier and a court found Danair Harden “an immediate threat” to his partner but still, he managed to return to the Burnsville residence after posting a $4,000 bond.
The boy was shot in front of his horrified mom and siblings. His father then turned the gun on himself in a botched suicide attempt.
“We’re finally free of him, but my child paid the ultimate sacrifice,” the grieving mother said.
“My children are traumatized. It’s going to take years, if it ever goes away.”
Emergency responders rushed the injured son and father to Hennepin County Medical Center where the boy died.
The suspect remains hospitalized in critical condition.
“Amir wanted to protect his mommy. It’s just unimaginable, an eight-year-old trying to wrestle the gun out of a grown man’s hand. It’s unbearable pain,” the mom added.
“I screamed for him to leave and go to the neighbors. He refused and said ‘Mommy, I’m not leaving you here.’”
“He was courageous. He was a leader, a protector of his siblings. He was my biggest cheerleader,” Edwards said.
“Every day I go to work, he’d say, ‘Have a good day, Mommy. I love you.’”
