Brave boy, 8, killed by violent dad after taking bullet for his mum
Brave boy, 8, killed by violent dad after taking bullet for his mum
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A mum has described the moment her "hero" eight-year-old son saved her life by leaping in front of a bullet for her. Amir Harden was shot in the spinal cord after running in front of dad Danair Harden, 30, a split second before he fired at his mum, 29-year-old Cherish Edwards. According to reports at the time, Harden had been able to return to the family home despite assaulting Cherish a few days before the end of her relationship. She had admitted she'd started dating other people.
The boy was shot in front of his four other siblings before Harden turned the gun on himself. The youngster fought for life until passing away in hospital on June 8, 2024. Recalling the tragic day, Cherish, a school nurse, from Burnsville, Minnesota said: "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 'mummy Amir is dead' I realised he had run in front of me. People tell me all day he's a hero.".
Harden had returned to the family home uninvited after being released on bail for an incident the month before at the family home, where he had grabbed Cherish by the neck and threatened to kill her. Describing his behaviour after showing up at the house, Cherish said: "He was very agitated. He kept wanting to stay with me. I said 'we're not together. You need to stop'.". Later that evening, at around midnight, Cherish woke up to find Harden in her room and they both started arguing. Cherish said: "Amir ran into the room and was begging for him to stop yelling. I told Amir 'you need to leave now'. But he was refusing and trying to get the both of us apart.".
Cherish said Harden headbutted her, and she demanded he leave immediately after managing to get him downstairs. But he refused - and turned even more violent. "He kept saying 'that's it'", she said,. "I ran upstairs after him and saw him getting out his gun. I said 'what are you doing?' but he kept saying 'that's it'. I was wrestling with him over the gun.". By this time all four of Amir's siblings were awake and screaming, and the eight-year-old began wrestling for the gun too. "I said to him 'Amir you need to leave. You need to go the neighbours - I'm okay'. He told me 'I'm not leaving you with him. I'm staying.' I kept pleading with him. I was so afraid he was going to accidentally kill my son. I lost my grip for a second and Danair ran downstairs.".
Cherish followed him, believing her children would be safe upstairs. She had accepted in the moment that he was going to shoot her, and after he fired the gun, the pair realised Amir had run in the middle and taken the bullet. She said: "Blood was coming out of his mouth but I could still feel a pulse.". He rushed to her son, picked him up and opened the door to a neighbour, who had already called the police. Cherish then turned around to see Harden shoot himself in the head. An ambulance was called for both Amir and Harden and they were taken to Hennepin County Medical Center.
Cherish said: "Once I got to hospital I wasn't crying, I was screaming. When a pain like that happens you scream from the soul. He was shot in the spinal cord and it shocked him into a heart attack. A shot like that would usually kill them instantly but Amir kept fighting.". He eventually lost his life on June 9, 2024. Cherish said: "I held him until he went cold." The family had a memorial in August, and organised a balloon release to say goodbye.
Harden meanwhile died from his self-inflicted injuries on Father's Day, June 16, last year, and Cherish has been trying her hardest to grieve and cope since losing both her son and his father. She said: "It's really hard when you have children. I have an overwhelming feeling to go and be with Amir. When you're a mother your natural instinct is to know where your kids are, check they are happy. That feeling doesn't go away. I'll never be the Cherish I was. I feel more anchored here because have four other children.".
Cherish said Amir had always been a "special" boy from the day he was born, and added: "He was so fun, so determined. He was so good at everything." A GoFundme page set up by Cherish to support her family has so far raised $19,431 (£15,680). *If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch.
