A Two Day Spree Of Fireworks And Gunfire. Two Days Of Murder And Mayhem. Five Separate Shootings. This Is What We've Come To Expect On Holidays In North Minneapolis. We Start With Paul Mercer, 28, Who Is Reportedly Fighting For His Life And In Critical Condition After Being Shot......

Mugshot, JNS blog asserts it is therefore public domain despite the addition of a watermark, blog post by Jordan North     

Blog Post by Jordan North

I look forward to a day when I can post beautiful stories of family memories made at celebrations in the heart of Minneapolis. A Fourth of July when families gather in the parks for a picnic and fireworks display. People walk home without the fear of being shot, accosted or hit by illegal fireworks. I've always been a bit of a dreamer and the reality here is the exact opposite. 

So for now...


Nothing specific has been released about any of the shooting victims over this holiday weekend. It has already been reported that law enforcement is saying NONE of the shootings appear to be gang related. Paul Mercer's family (Paul is pictured above) is flying in from Grand Marais and begging for updates on his condition via the internet.

There has been little information in the media about who was shot and where. I am going to go out on a limb here and say that Paul Mercer, In opinion, is the victim mentioned in the below Star and Tribune quote. His Family reported he was shot at the Camden Tavern..

''Then, just after 1 a.m., police went to a second shooting off Lyndale Avenue N. and 46th Avenue N.; one man was injured, but Seroka said the man was expected to survive with noncritical injuries.''

                                                                      Facebook photo used under First Amendment Fair Comment and Criticism.


Paul's sister posted this today...

''Update for our brother PAUL. He is still in the ICU and will be there for quite some time. He's on full life support, which we don't know yet if he can breath on his own or not. He was shot once in the stomach/groin area and it caused extensive damage to his internal organs. Which his doctor said may take several surgeries over the next week to mend. It all depends on his medical stability. The doctors were having a hard time managing his blood pressure and temperature yesterday, but after a switch of medication he seems to be doing better. He's heavily sedated BUT brought tears to me and johns eyes when he woke up a little (in a haze) and realized we were with him. He responded to our voices and squeezed our hands!! He's in there guys and has a good chance of making it through this, so please keep sending prayers and love our way!!''

I pray for all the victims......


Yesterday Minneapolis police chief Janee Harteu reportedly asked that they find another way to resolve personal conflict. I would like to suggest a game of chess or a brutal email lashing.  With all due respect, the people out murdering at all hours of the day and night are probably not open to our ideas of conflict resolution....

We don't snitch. We just die.