Man arrested for shooting dead 9-year-old on a trampoline

‘This is the first step toward achieving that justice’

Trinity Ottoson-Smith (WCCO)

A Minneapolis man has reportedly been arrested and charged in connection with the shooting death of nine-year-old Trinity Ottoson-Smith last May.

Dpree Shareef Robinson, who records show was arrested on Wednesday, was charged with second-degree murder by Minneapolis prosecutors after appearing in court on Thursday.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) said it believed Trinity was was caught in “crossfire” when she was shot while bouncing on a friend’s trampoline on 15 May 2021.

She had been at a birthday party at the time, during which three children in total were shot.

“As we said during the Spotlight on Crime news conference last August, families deserve to know who did this to their children,” said BCA superintendent Drew Evans in a statement following the 19-year-old’s arrest.

“We have worked diligently to achieve justice for Trinity and her family. This is the first step toward achieving that justice.”

According to records filed in Hennepin County, and reported by Fox News and CBS Minnesota on Thursday, investigators began to focus on Mr Robinson after his vehicle was caught by a CCTV camera not far from where Trinity was shot.

Dpree Shareef Robinson, 19 (Hennepin County via CBS Minnesota)

In addition to his vehicle being seen leaving the scene in a Minneapolis neighbourhood, Mr Robinson’s phone activity showed him at the location at the time, the charging documents reportedly alleged.

And his internet search history showed him looking for ways to change his car’s paint colour, while both his mobile phone and the vehicle, a 2014 Ford Fusion, seemed to vanish following the shooting.

Police determined that Mr Robinson was aiming at a man at the same address Trinity was shot, and who was a member of a rival gang.

He meanwhile advertised himself as belonging to the Black Disciples gang, the reports said.

A prayer vigil for Trinity Ottoson-Smith last May (AP)

“I do feel a little bit lighter, but I know that this is only step one in this process,” said Trinity’s mother Nicole Ottoson to Fox9 News after the charges against Mr Robinson. “I’m trying to just kind of take this as my win for the day and this win for Trinity, and stay positive about what will happen next.”

Mr Robinson was due in court Thursday afternoon.