MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) — A quiet, sun-splashed street hides the pain of what happened inside the home on the 2600 block of Colfax Avenue North. One year later, a poster tacked alongside the front doorway reveals the sad and senseless tragedy.
It’s been one year since 3-year-old Terrell Mayes, Jr. was killed by an errant bullet.
“Every day about 6 or 6:30 p.m. my heart skips a beat because I don’t have Junior no more,” said a grieving Marsha Mayes.
The little boy’s mother fights back tears as she stands outside the home recalling that awful night one year ago. That’s when gunfire from outside the home sent her boys running for cover in an upstairs closet.
Sadly, one of the bullets fired from across the street ripped into the home, striking 3-year-old Terrell in the head. He died just hours later at North Memorial Hospital.
Now, 365 days later, Terrell’s killer still hasn’t been caught, despite countless pleas and thousands of dollars in reward money.
“I want the killer to know you can’t run, God knows everything. He saw you out here that night,” she said.
Memorials made of flowers and toys have disappeared from the front step. Billboards advertising the reward money went up and came down. Over the summer, backyard rallies were held to spread the word throughout the north side neighborhood, but produced no breaks in the case.
Still, family friends are observing the sad anniversary of Terrell’s death by cranking up the heat.
“I am pleading, begging with you again to please turn yourself in and let’s get this over with and bring closure to this mother,” K.G. Wilson said.
Marsha Mayes is a mother whose tears can’t wash away her anger — over the loss of a child and respect for those reluctant to talk.
“These parents need to get it together,” she said. “This is not OK.”
Anyone with information on the case is asked to contact Minneapolis Police. Crime Stoppers is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the boy’s killer.
