Minn. Girl, 6, Is Killed When Murder Suspect Fleeing Police Crashes into Her Car

Mar. 15, 2025

Blessings McLurain Gray.Photo: Go Fund MeA 6-year-old girl died from her injuries on Friday after a car fleeing from police struck her family’s vehicle, officials said.April McHerron and four family members were headed home after spending the day at the pool when McHerron approached a four-way stop in Brooklyn Center, Minn., shetold CBS News Minnesota.“I stopped at the stop sign. I looked and there were no cars,” McHerron said. “Then I just see a car, and it was too late after that.“Her vehicle flipped over several times before landing on its roof, she says.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.“Instantly when I woke up and realized we were upside down, I tried to reach over and unsnap my niece’s seatbelt, I couldn’t,” she says. “I unsnapped mine and just got out.“McHerron told CBS News she never heard a siren.According to Brooklyn Center Police, officials were pursuing 28-year-old Hakeem Muhammad, who was a suspect with an active murder warrant. They attempted to use a tire-deflating device but failed, and Muhammad allegedly fled.Hennepin County JailThey were unable to catch up to him until he collided with McHerron’s vehicle, police stated.“The murder suspect was arrested at the scene and is currently in police custody,” officials stated at the time.Muhammad is currently being held at Hennepin County Jail and facing a count of vehicular homicide, criminal vehicular operation causing great harm and fleeing a peace officer, among other other charges.He is expected to appear in front of a judge at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday,according to online records. It was unclear whether he has obtained an attorney to speak on his behalf. He has not yet entered a plea.McHerron and her four family members were taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries. Her niece, Blessings McLurain-Gray, died at the hospital.The family has struggled with the loss of the 6-year-old girl who brought joy to their lives, McHerron says.“You can feel the emptiness without her presence, without her being around. You know she’s not there,” she said. “We’re empty without her. We’ll never be the same.“In addition to the pain of their loss, McLurain-Gray’s father, Cortel Gray told CBS News he wants people to be held accountable.“Something needs to change,” Gray said. “Everyone needs to be held accountable. Everybody. Him, the police, the city, the state, because they’re the one making the law.“A GoFundMe pagehas been established to help the family.

Blessings McLurain Gray.Photo: Go Fund Me

A 6-year-old girl died from her injuries on Friday after a car fleeing from police struck her family’s vehicle, officials said.April McHerron and four family members were headed home after spending the day at the pool when McHerron approached a four-way stop in Brooklyn Center, Minn., shetold CBS News Minnesota.“I stopped at the stop sign. I looked and there were no cars,” McHerron said. “Then I just see a car, and it was too late after that.“Her vehicle flipped over several times before landing on its roof, she says.Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.“Instantly when I woke up and realized we were upside down, I tried to reach over and unsnap my niece’s seatbelt, I couldn’t,” she says. “I unsnapped mine and just got out.“McHerron told CBS News she never heard a siren.According to Brooklyn Center Police, officials were pursuing 28-year-old Hakeem Muhammad, who was a suspect with an active murder warrant. They attempted to use a tire-deflating device but failed, and Muhammad allegedly fled.Hennepin County JailThey were unable to catch up to him until he collided with McHerron’s vehicle, police stated.“The murder suspect was arrested at the scene and is currently in police custody,” officials stated at the time.Muhammad is currently being held at Hennepin County Jail and facing a count of vehicular homicide, criminal vehicular operation causing great harm and fleeing a peace officer, among other other charges.He is expected to appear in front of a judge at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday,according to online records. It was unclear whether he has obtained an attorney to speak on his behalf. He has not yet entered a plea.McHerron and her four family members were taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries. Her niece, Blessings McLurain-Gray, died at the hospital.The family has struggled with the loss of the 6-year-old girl who brought joy to their lives, McHerron says.“You can feel the emptiness without her presence, without her being around. You know she’s not there,” she said. “We’re empty without her. We’ll never be the same.“In addition to the pain of their loss, McLurain-Gray’s father, Cortel Gray told CBS News he wants people to be held accountable.“Something needs to change,” Gray said. “Everyone needs to be held accountable. Everybody. Him, the police, the city, the state, because they’re the one making the law.“A GoFundMe pagehas been established to help the family.

A 6-year-old girl died from her injuries on Friday after a car fleeing from police struck her family’s vehicle, officials said.

April McHerron and four family members were headed home after spending the day at the pool when McHerron approached a four-way stop in Brooklyn Center, Minn., shetold CBS News Minnesota.

“I stopped at the stop sign. I looked and there were no cars,” McHerron said. “Then I just see a car, and it was too late after that.”

Her vehicle flipped over several times before landing on its roof, she says.

Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up forPEOPLE’s free True Crime newsletterfor breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.

“Instantly when I woke up and realized we were upside down, I tried to reach over and unsnap my niece’s seatbelt, I couldn’t,” she says. “I unsnapped mine and just got out.”

McHerron told CBS News she never heard a siren.

According to Brooklyn Center Police, officials were pursuing 28-year-old Hakeem Muhammad, who was a suspect with an active murder warrant. They attempted to use a tire-deflating device but failed, and Muhammad allegedly fled.

Hennepin County Jail

They were unable to catch up to him until he collided with McHerron’s vehicle, police stated.

“The murder suspect was arrested at the scene and is currently in police custody,” officials stated at the time.

Muhammad is currently being held at Hennepin County Jail and facing a count of vehicular homicide, criminal vehicular operation causing great harm and fleeing a peace officer, among other other charges.

He is expected to appear in front of a judge at 1:30 p.m. Wednesday,according to online records. It was unclear whether he has obtained an attorney to speak on his behalf. He has not yet entered a plea.

McHerron and her four family members were taken to the hospital to be treated for injuries. Her niece, Blessings McLurain-Gray, died at the hospital.

The family has struggled with the loss of the 6-year-old girl who brought joy to their lives, McHerron says.

“You can feel the emptiness without her presence, without her being around. You know she’s not there,” she said. “We’re empty without her. We’ll never be the same.”

In addition to the pain of their loss, McLurain-Gray’s father, Cortel Gray told CBS News he wants people to be held accountable.

“Something needs to change,” Gray said. “Everyone needs to be held accountable. Everybody. Him, the police, the city, the state, because they’re the one making the law.”

A GoFundMe pagehas been established to help the family.

source: people.com