8-Year-Old Boy Dies Shielding Mom from Father’s Gunfire in Tragic Murder-Suicide

In a heart-wrenching act of bravery, 8-year-old Amir Harden sacrificed his life to save his mother, Cherish Edwards, 29, from being shot by his father, Danair Harden, 30. The tragic incident unfolded on June 5, 2024, in Burnsville, Minnesota, when Danair, in a fit of rage, attempted to shoot Cherish during a heated argument.

Amir, who had rushed to intervene, was struck in the spinal cord after stepping between his parents. Cherish, a school nurse, recounted the harrowing moment: “I knew he was going to shoot me. He turned around and shot at me. The bullet was so loud. My ears were ringing. We looked at each other, and I didn’t collapse.

It was only when I heard my daughter say, ‘Mommy, Amir is dead,’ I realized he had run in front of me.” Amir succumbed to his injuries on June 8, 2024, after fighting for his life in the hospital. Danair, who turned the gun on himself after shooting his son, died on Father’s Day, June 16, 2024. The couple, who had met as teenagers, shared five children, told The Mirror.

However, their relationship had deteriorated in recent months, with Cherish ending their partnership in January 2024 after feeling emotionally disconnected. The tragedy followed a series of violent altercations. On May 30, 2024, Danair assaulted Cherish after she revealed she had begun dating others.

Despite being arrested and released on $4,000 bail, Danair returned to the family home on June 5, 2024, where tensions escalated. Cherish recalled the final moments: “Amir ran into the room, begging him to stop yelling. I told Amir, ‘You need to leave now,’ but he refused, trying to separate us.”

As Danair retrieved a gun, Amir bravely attempted to wrestle it away. Cherish pleaded with her son to leave, but Amir insisted, “I’m not leaving you with him. I’m staying.” In the chaos, Danair fired a shot, striking Amir, before turning the gun on himself.

Cherish, now mourning the loss of her son, described Amir as a hero. “People tell me all day he’s a hero,” she said. “When a pain like that happens, you scream from the soul.” The community has rallied around the grieving mother, offering support as she navigates the unimaginable loss of her child.