Judge Orders Brooklyn Park Teen To Stand Adult Trial
A 17-year-old faces second-degree murder charges for a fatal shooting at Hartkopf Park.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in Violence
A Hennepin County judge ruled that 17-year-old Nyzeir A'shoun Reay will be tried as an adult for a fatal shooting. The teen is charged with two counts of second-degree murder regarding the death of a 16-year-old male.
Why it matters
The decision to move the case to adult court allows for sentencing parameters associated with second-degree murder charges in Minnesota. The legal shift follows the suspect's arrest by federal authorities earlier this year.
A Hennepin County judge issued the order on October 20 to move the suspect to adult court. Authorities previously recovered five shell casings near a jungle gym at the scene of the incident.
The players
Nyzeir A'shoun Reay
The 17-year-old suspect is facing two counts of second-degree murder.
United States Marshals Service
This federal law enforcement agency is responsible for locating and apprehending fugitives.
Hennepin County
This county serves as the legal jurisdiction for the criminal proceedings in Minnesota.
The details
Detectives identified Reay as the suspect following an investigation into the July 5 incident at Hartkopf Park, where officers arrived at 10:45 p.m. The United States Marshals Service subsequently located and arrested the teen in Peoria, Illinois.
Timeline
July 5, 2026: The shooting occurred at Hartkopf Park.
July 29, 2026: The United States Marshals Service arrested Reay.
October 20, 2026: Court ordered suspect to stand trial as adult.
Legal Context
The ruling follows established Minnesota juvenile certification proceedings that dictate when minors are moved to the adult justice system. Such cases are often evaluated based on the severity of the offense and the defendant's age at the time of the crime.
The investigation into the park shooting has concluded with the suspect in custody. Residents are encouraged to report any remaining information regarding the incident to local authorities.
The takeaway
The move to adult court signifies a shift in the legal handling of this violent case. Public spaces like Hartkopf Park remain under local law enforcement monitoring following the incident.
Further reading
Find more updates on local safety issues in the Brooklyn Park Violence section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul.
