Twin Cities high school senior found fatally shot inside car, police say
An 18-year-old Twin Cities high school senior was found shot dead inside a vehicle early Sunday on a residential street.
The Ramsey Police Department says someone reported finding the victim — 18-year-old Diamond Eddie Manly — "slumped over" at about 8:30 a.m. on Snowy Owl Street Northwest, just east of the Mississippi River.
Neighbors who spoke on Monday with WCCO said the vehicle was parked on a lawn.
The Anoka County Sheriff's Office is investigating but hasn't released many details so far, other than to say Diamond Manly died from a gunshot wound and they are treating his death as a homicide.
"Any death is going to be tragic for our community or in an area where it occurs, and this one is no different," said Tierney Peters with the sheriff's office. "These kind of things impact more than just the victim or their family."
Diamond Manly lived with his family in Brooklyn Park and was a student at Champlin Park High School. Principal Michael George released a statement on Monday morning saying they are saddened by Manly's death, and they will have resources available at school for grieving students.
"I'm so depressed," said Leona Yogei Manly, Diamond Manly's mother. "I'm so heartbroken. I'm so devastated that my first son is no more and sitting here today is the worst nightmare of my life."
Diamond Manly's parents say he played on Champlin Park's soccer team and was always smiling.
They didn't know him to be involved in anything that might have led to his death.
"The killer is out there," Yogei Manly said. "He or she is sitting somewhere. They need to be arrested."
"I need justice. Nobody wants their kid to die," Eric Manly, Diamond Manly's father, said.
The Manly family has an online fundraiser to help with funeral expenses.
Elsie is a neighbor who lives on the street where Manly's body was found. She said the presence of police cars is unusual for this relatively new Ramsey neighborhood. Most of the homes built within the past couple years.
"That was shocking, and we just hope like it's a one-time deal and we're not having that anymore," said Elsie. "It happened here but I'm hoping that it's not something that involves people in the neighborhood."
So far, no arrests have been made, but Elsie hopes that changes quickly. She believes her neighborhood is safe, but she said she would sleep better knowing the questions surrounding Diamond Manly's death were answered.
"We've never heard any issue or any security threat before," she said.
Anyone with information on this case is asked to call the sheriff's office at 763-427-1212. Callers can remain anonymous.
