MINNEAPOLIS — One year after 9-year-old Trinity Ottoson-Smith died from gunshot wounds she suffered while playing on a trampoline in a Minneapolis backyard, the community will gather for a balloon release in her honor.
The girl died May 27 of 2021, 12 days after being caught in the crossfire in a drive-by shooting aimed at someone else. Police say the alleged gunman was firing at young men standing on a nearby porch, on the other side of the trampoline where Trinity and other kids were playing.
"I always saw her spirit in her eyes," Rashawn Smith, Trinity's father told KARE.
"She had big bubbly eyes, big smile, a little raspy voice. But she was very sweet, very considerate."
Smith gathered with family and friends Friday night at a park in Crystal for a barbecue and a balloon release. People donned tee-shirts bearing the girl's image and wore orange wristband with her name stamped into them.
"Our goal is to make Trinity as proud as possible, make sure that nobody forgets Trinity’s name, Trinity’s story."
Trinity's death was among a violent span where three children were the victims of errant gunfire in Minneapolis less than three weeks apart.
"Every kid in North Minneapolis and South Minneapolis and Saint Paul ought to have the same right to play safely and live safely," Rev. Jerry McAfee of the New Salem Baptist Church told KARE.
"We cannot forget because if we forget it we won’t move towards positive action."
Aniya Allen was eating McDonald's when she was shot in the head. The 6-year-old was rushed to Hennepin Healthcare, where she died two years later.
La'Davionne Garrett Jr. was 10 when he was struck by a bullet in the backseat of his parent's car. Garrett Jr., now 11, survived his injuries and recently left the hospital to continue recovering at home.
The anti-crime organizations Spotlight on Crime and CrimeStoppers teamed up to offer up to $180,000 in reward money to anyone with information in any of the shootings. To report information, call CrimeStoppers at 1-800-222-8477. The reward is believed to be the largest amount ever offered in Minnesota.
In February, 19-year-old Dpree Robinson from Minneapolis was charged with second-degree murder in connection to the shooting death of Ottoson-Smith, but Minneapolis police have not reported any progress in finding the people responsible for shooting either Allen or Garrett Jr.
"Trinity and Aniya should have never been murdered. Ladavionne, the course of his life should have never changed," said Trinity's stepmother Korrina Smith outside the Hennepin County Government Center earlier this year.
The balloon release is scheduled for Friday, May 27 at Becker Park in Crystal. The event is scheduled to begin around 6 p.m. with balloons being released at sunset.