BROOKLYN PARK, Md. — Brooklyn Park police say the gun used to shoot and kill 17-year-old Syoka Siko last week was purchased in parts and assembled into an "unserialized" ghost gun.
In a press conference Thursday, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley gave an update about the shooting death of Siko, saying a search warrant executed in the suspect's apartment produced evidence indicating two firearms recovered in connection with the investigation were assembled inside the complex on Regent Ave.
"An ongoing concern for me as the police chief when we combat violent crime is how easy it is for individuals to obtain guns," Bruley said.
According to the original police statement, Siko was found with gunshot wounds inside a vehicle on Interstate 94 on the night of Nov. 18. Police say their initial investigation showed Siko and one other person had been shot inside a vehicle at an apartment complex on the 8400 block of Regent Avenue North in Brooklyn Park before driving to I-94 and 53rd Avenue where they were eventually located.
Siko later died at the hospital.
The details surrounding what happened that evening remain unclear, but Bruley said police have been able to determine there were four people in the vehicle at the time of the shooting. Bruley said authorities have reason to believe three to four shots were fired from inside the car, hitting Siko and another individual. Bruley went on to say investigators believe the intended targets were outside of the vehicle.
Following the shooting, Bruley said authorities believe the individuals left the scene to hide the firearms, eventually stopping on the freeway to call 911.
Bruley said two 17-year-olds have been arrested in connection with the shooting and are currently in custody at the Hennepin County Juvenile Detention Center. He added police are also looking "to talk" with another individual they believe could have been involved.
At this time, Bruley said they believe one of the teens in custody was the one who pulled the trigger.
"I remind you that these are 17-year-old children," Bruley said, "who were not only able to order the gun parts, but quickly able to assemble them in their bedroom to create working firearms."
Siko's mother, Alvera Voss, also spoke at the press conference Thursday, pleading with anyone who might have information about her son's shooting death to come forward and help police with their investigation.
"Speak what you know," she said. "You know the truth will set you free, and everybody free."
"The gun violence has to stop in Brooklyn Park, in this region and certainly across the nation," said Bruley. "For those in powerful positions, especially legislators, take notice when we have children who can buy guns off the internet and assemble them. Action has to be taken."
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