On the evening of October 7, 2020, 18-year-old Oliver Perkins III was shot multiple times inside a convenience store in the 1800 block of S. Nicollet Avenue in Minneapolis. He was on the phone with his mother when gunfire interrupted the call. First responders took Perkins to Hennepin County Medical Center, where he died the next day.

Perkins, a recent high school graduate, lived in supportive housing nearby and managed sickle cell anemia. He was described as a budding artistic entrepreneur who liked technology, cooking for friends and restyling clothing and shoes, and had received a 2019 Thrive Award from YMCA Youth and Family Services. Minneapolis police opened a homicide investigation; no arrests have been announced and the case remained open as of early 2023. A neighborhood officer told Perkins’ mother he thought mistaken identity was possible.

If anyone knew Oliver, saw activity near S. Nicollet Avenue that night, or has information that could help investigators, please contact CrimeStoppers.