photo courtesy of GoFundMe
The 19-year-old teen tragically killed in the Christmas Eve shooting at the Mall of America has been identified, according to the Star Tribune. His family identified the victim as Johntae Hudson of St. Paul, and his cause of death was determined to be multiple gunshot wounds. The shooting occurred between two separate groups of men in the Nordstrom department store.
Five people were arrested in relation to the December 23 shooting, and all of them are facing second-degree murder charges after two groups of men got into a physical altercation inside Nordstrom before the gunshots broke out at around 8 PM and sent the mall into a two-hour lockdown. Although the details of the altercation’s contents haven’t been released, the investigation has turned up a store surveillance video showing a man pulling out a gun and shooting Johntae. Police are also allegedly still searching for a sixth suspect outside the five already arrested.
After finally being identified, Johntae’s sister created a GoFundMe in order to get assistance with funeral expenses for her brother. She wrote on the fundraising page, “Hi, my name is Janayea Hudson, and I’m making this fundraiser for my little brother Johntae (19). He recently passed away in the Mall of America shooting incident. Johntae was the most loving and caring person to his family and friends. He radiated positive and fun energy, and his smile lit up the room. He was an overall great person, and we want to give him the funeral he deserves. Anything will help.”
Thankfully, the fundraising page has surpassed its goal already, offering relief to the family.