A Minnesota 9-Year-Old Girl Was Playing On A Trampoline With Pals. Now, A Man Admits He Shot And Killed Her.

A Minnesota man has pleaded guilty to killing a 9-year-old girl who was fatally shot while playing on a trampoline almost two years ago.

D’pree Shareef Robinson, a 20-year-old alleged gang member, pleaded guilty to murder on March 6 in connection with the death of Trinity Ottoson-Smith in Minneapolis. He was previously charged with first- and second-degree murder, KSTP reported.

Around 8:30 p.m. on May 15, 2021,Ottoson-Smith was on a trampoline with two other children at her friend’s home when she was struck by a bullet shot from a gun Robinson was carrying at the time. The child died two weeks later at North Memorial Medical Center in Robbinsdale.

Police said the victim was in the way of Robinson and his intended targets. Following the deadly incident, detectives tied the defendant to the scene using cellphone location data, among other evidence collected in the case.

Robinson could have faced life in prison if he was found guilty at trial. His plea deal allows him to receive an expected sentence of about 37 years when he is sentenced on March 21.

“Trinity was doing what kids should be doing in spring time in Minnesota, playing with friends and having fun outside,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said after the plea deal was announced. “Mr. Robinson’s actions shocked our community and devastated her family and all who loved her. I’m hopeful his admission of guilt begins to bring some degree of closure for Trinity’s family and the community.”