Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
Crime, Law and Justice
The Associated Press
Woodbury, Minn.

Family gathers to remember 14-year-old shot at party

Graduation Party Shooting Minnesota
Sequoya Ashley, a behavioral health specialist at Skyview Middle School, shares memories of Demaris Hobbs-Ekdahl at the vigil for him at Richard Walton Memorial Park in Oakdale, Minn., Sunday, a day after he was killed by gunfire while attending a graduation party with his brother.
Jeff Wheeler | Star Tribune via AP

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!

Scores of people attended a vigil for a 14-year-old boy shot to death as he was leaving a graduation party in suburban St. Paul this past weekend.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported Monday that Demaris Nathan Hobbs-Ekdahl was killed Saturday as he and his 16-year-old brother, Davion, were driving away from the party in Woodbury. The boys' mother, Trisha Ekdahl, said three males pulled guns on Davion as the brothers were leaving and then opened fire on the back of their car.

Nearly 200 people attended a vigil for Hobbs-Ekdahl at an Oakdale park on Sunday night. Some wore T-shirts that read “RIP Baby Boy" and "Long Live MarMar," Hobbs-Ekdahl's nickname.

The boy was a running back on the Oakdale High School football team. Players huddled together at the vigil with tear-stained faces, chanting “One-two-three-Mar! Four-five-six-family!”

“If you can shoot a 14-year-old kid driving away in his back, you’re a coward,” said uncle Bob Humphries.

The state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is assisting local police in the search for the shooters.

Hobbs-Ekdahl is the fourth youth under age 15 killed by gunfire in the Twin Cities since April 30.